Small Molecule Inhibitors of Toll-Like Receptor 9

ABSTRACT

Small molecule compounds and compositions containing said compounds useful for inhibiting signaling by certain Toll-like receptors (TLRs), particularly TLR9, are provided. The compounds and compositions can be used to inhibit immune responses, including unwanted immune responses in particular. Compounds, compositions, and methods are provided to treat a variety of conditions involving unwanted immune responses, including for example autoimmune disease, inflammation, transplant rejection, and sepsis.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to immunology. More particularly, the invention relates to small molecules capable of inhibiting an immune response, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the small molecule inhibitors, and methods of using the inhibitors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stimulation of the immune system, which includes stimulation of either or both innate immunity and adaptive immunity, is a complex phenomenon that can result in either protective or adverse physiologic outcomes for the host. In recent years there has been increased interest in the mechanisms underlying innate immunity, which is believed to initiate and support adaptive immunity. This interest has been fueled in part by the recent discovery of a family of highly conserved pattern recognition receptor proteins known as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) believed to be involved in innate immunity as receptors for pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Compositions and methods useful for modulating innate immunity are therefore of great interest, as they may affect therapeutic approaches to conditions involving autoimmunity, inflammation, allergy, asthma, graft rejection, graft versus host disease (GvHD), infection, cancer, and immunodeficiency.

Recently there have been a number of reports describing the immunostimulatory effect of certain types of nucleic acid molecules, including CpG nucleic acids and double-stranded RNA. Of note, it was recently reported that Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes bacterial DNA and CpG DNA. Hemmi H et al. (2000) Nature 408:740-5; Bauer S et al. (2001) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:9237-42. It was also recently reported that immune complexes containing IgG and nucleic acid can stimulate TLR9 and participate in B-cell activation in certain autoimmune diseases. Leadbetter E A et al. (2002) Nature 416:595-8.

Chlroroquines have been recognized as useful not only as anti-malarial agents but also as anti-inflammatory agents. Although its mechanism of action is not well understood, chloroquine has been used effectively in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (R A) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). For a review, see Wallace D J (1996) Lupus 5 Suppl 1:S59-64. Recently Macfarlane and colleagues described a number of small molecule analogs and derivatives of chloroquine (4-aminoquinoline) and quinacrine(9-aminoacridine) which reportedly inhibit stimulation of the immune system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,882; U.S. Pat. No. 6,479,504; U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,637; published international patent application WO 00/76982; and published international patent application WO 99/01154. Macfarlane and colleagues report these small molecule inhibitors of the immune response, even when used at nanomolar concentrations, can block the action of immunostimulatory DNA. U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,882 B1. Macfarlane and coworkers studied a large number of compounds by varying substituents on a limited number of 4-aminoquinoline and 9-aminoacridine core structures related to chloroquine and quinacrine.

More recently Lipford et al. described yet additional small molecule TLR antagonists, including certain substituted quinoline and quinazoline compounds, in published patent application US 2005/0119273 A1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for inhibiting an immune response.

The invention in one aspect is a compound having a structure

wherein

X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon;

R₁ and R₂ are independently absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₃;

R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

R₅ is absent or hydrogen;

R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₂; and

R₈ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₃;

wherein

Y₁ is Ar—Y₂, where Ar is optionally substituted phenyl;

Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl; and

at least one of R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ is Y₁; or at least one of R₆ and R₇ is Y₂; and/or at least one of R₃ and R₈ is Y₃.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least one of X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least two of X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this and other aspects of the invention, R₄ is

These groups are also referred to herein as follows:

1-(4-methyl-piperazine) or, equivalently, pip;

N—[N,N-dimethylethylenediamine] or, equivalently, diamine;

N—[N,N-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine] or, equivalently, dipamine;

(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-amine or, equivalently, dimor;

(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-amine or, equivalently, dipmor;

[3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl-ethyl)]-amine or, equivalently, dipip; and

[3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl-propyl)]-amine or, equivalently, dippip.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip.

In one embodiment the compound has one of the following structures,

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip; or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment, i.e.,

R₄ pip and Y₂ pip; R₄ pip and Y₂ diamine; R₄ pip and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ pip and Y₂ dimor; R₄ pip and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ pip and Y₂ dipip; R₄ pip and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ diamine and Y₂ pip; R₄ diamine and Y₂ diamine; R₄ diamine and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ diamine and Y₂ dimor; R₄ diamine and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ diamine and Y₂ dipip; R₄ diamine and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ dipamine and Y₂ pip; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ diamine; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ dimor; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ dipip; R₄ dipamine and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ dimor and Y₂ pip; R₄ dimor and Y₂ diamine; R₄ dimor and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ dimor and Y₂ dimor; R₄ dimor and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ dimor and Y₂ dipip; R₄ dimor and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ dipmor and Y₂ pip; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ diamine; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ dimor; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ dipip; R₄ dipmor and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ dipip and Y₂ pip; R₄ dipip and Y₂ diamine; R₄ dipip and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ dipip and Y₂ dimor; R₄ dipip and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ dipip and Y₂ dipip; R₄ dipip and Y₂ dippip;

R₄ dippip and Y₂ pip; R₄ dippip and Y₂ diamine; R₄ dippip and Y₂ dipamine; R₄ dippip and Y₂ dimor; R₄ dippip and Y₂ dipmor; R₄ dippip and Y₂ dipip; R₄ dippip and Y₂ dippip.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₁.

Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁ and R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₁.

Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁ and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₁.

Further according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁ and R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃.

Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, and R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂.

Further according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, and R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁ and R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁ and R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁ and R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₇ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₇ is hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, and R₇ is hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, R₇ is hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₁ is hydrogen and R₆ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₁, and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₆ is Y₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is hydrogen and R₇ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₇ is Y₁, and R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₇ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is hydrogen and R₈ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₈ is Y₁, and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₈ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is hydrogen and R₃ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₁, and R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen and R₃ is Y₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, and R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃, and R₇ is Y₂.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃, and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃, and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, and R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₁ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, and R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₁ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, and R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to, this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, and R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, and R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, and R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁ and R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₁, R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁ and R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₁, R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁ and R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₁, R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₁.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, in one embodiment R₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁ and R₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₁, R₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₆ is Y₂ and R₃ is Y₃.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₁, R₃, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₈ is Y₃, and R₁, R₃, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₈ is Y₃, R₁, R₃, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂.

Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₁, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃, R₇ is Y₂, and R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃ is Y₃ and R₇ is Y₂, R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

The invention in one aspect is a compound having a structure

wherein

X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon;

R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

R₅ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and

Y₁ is Ar—Y₂, where Ar is optionally substituted phenyl;

wherein

Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

wherein, when the compound has the structure (IX) wherein X₃ is nitrogen, X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least one of X₁, X₃, and X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least two of X₁, X₃, and X₄ are nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, as disclosed above.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

The invention in one aspect is a compound having a structure

wherein

X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon;

R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

R₅ is absent or hydrogen;

R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₃;

R₇ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and

Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

wherein

Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least one of X₁, X₃, and X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least two of X₁, X₃, and X₄ are nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, as disclosed above.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃ and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃ and R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃ and R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃ and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₃, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₈ is Y₃. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃ and R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₈ is Y₃, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

The invention in one aspect is a compound having a structure

wherein

X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon;

R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle;

R₅ is absent or hydrogen;

R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₂;

R₈ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and

Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl;

wherein

Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least one of X₁, X₃, and X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention at least two of X₁, X₃, and X₄ are nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, as disclosed above.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₃ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂ and R₃, R₆, and R₃ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂ and R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₃ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂ and R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

wherein R₇ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂ and R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₇ is Y₂, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₄ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, in one embodiment Y₂ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂, as set forth above, is specifically embraced by the latter embodiment.

The invention in one aspect is a compound having a structure

wherein

X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon;

R₁, R₃, and R₅ are independently absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

R₆ is independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₂;

R₇, R₈, and R₁₅ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide;

each Q is independently optionally substituted alkyl or Y₂; and

n is an integer from 1-5;

wherein

Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, at least one of X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ is nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, at least two of X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are nitrogen.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, at least one Q is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip, as disclosed above.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment each and every Q is Y₂.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(o) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of Q_(p) and Q_(o), analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment Q is independently Y₂. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and Q is independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ and Q are independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ and Q are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₆ and Q, analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment each and every Q is Y₂.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(o) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of Q_(p) and Q_(o), analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment Q is independently Y₂. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and Q is independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ and Q are independently Y₂, and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ and Q are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₆ and Q, analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment each and every Q is Y₂.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(o) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of Q_(p) and Q_(o), analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment Q is independently Y₂. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and Q is independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ and Q are independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ and Q are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₆ and Q, analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment each and every Q is Y₂.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide. Further according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(o) is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently Y₂ and R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment Q_(p) and Q_(o) are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of Q_(p) and Q_(o), analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one embodiment the compound has the structure

Further according to this embodiment, in one embodiment R₆ is Y₂. Further according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, in one embodiment Q is independently Y₂. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂ and Q is independently Y₂, in one embodiment R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ is Y₂, Q is independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ is pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Further still according to this embodiment in which R₆ and Q are independently Y₂, and R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, in one embodiment R₆ and Q are independently pip, diamine, dipamine, dimor, dipmor, dipip, or dippip. Each and every combination of R₆ and Q, analogous to each and every combination of R₄ and Y₂ as set forth above, is specifically embraced by this latter embodiment.

In one aspect the invention is a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition includes at least one compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of at least one compound of the invention, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for oral administration. In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for parenteral administration.

In one aspect the invention is a method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR). The method according to this aspect of the invention includes the step of contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a composition of the invention to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting.

In one embodiment the TLR is TLR7. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR8. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR9. In one embodiment the TLR is a human TLR.

In one embodiment the agonist of the TLR is a CpG nucleic acid. In one embodiment the agonist of the TLR is RNA.

In one embodiment the contacting occurs in vitro.

In one embodiment the cell expressing the TLR is an immune cell. In one embodiment the cell expressing the TLR is a cell that is modified to express the TLR.

In one aspect the invention is a method for reducing an immune response. The method according to this aspect of the invention includes the step of contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a composition of the invention to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting.

In one embodiment the TLR is TLR7. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR8. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR9. In one embodiment the TLR is a human TLR.

In one embodiment the contacting occurs in vitro. In one embodiment the contacting occurs in vivo.

In one embodiment the immune response is a Th1-like immune response. In one embodiment the immune response is secretion of a cytokine. In one embodiment the immune response is secretion of a chemokine.

In one embodiment the immune response is an immune response to an antigen. In one embodiment the antigen is an allergen. In one embodiment the antigen is a microbial antigen. In one embodiment the antigen is an antigen characteristic of an autoimmune condition.

In one aspect the invention is a method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject. The method includes the step of administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a composition of the invention to treat the autoimmune condition.

In one embodiment the TLR is TLR7. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR8. In one embodiment the TLR is TLR9. In one embodiment the TLR is a human TLR.

In one embodiment the autoimmune condition is selected from ankylosing spondylitis, atherosclerosis, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, auto immune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune-associated infertility, Behçet's syndrome, bullous pemphigoid, Churg-Strauss disease, Crohn's disease, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Grave's disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic Addison's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, mixed connective tissue disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyositis, primary biliary sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, sclerosing cholangitis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Takayasu's arteritis, temporal arteritis, ulcerative colitis, and Wegener's granulomatosis.

In one embodiment the autoimmune condition is systemic lupus erythematosus.

In one embodiment the autoimmune condition is rheumatoid arthritis.

In one embodiment the subject is a human.

Each of the limitations of the invention can encompass various embodiments of the invention. It is, therefore, anticipated that each of the limitations of the invention involving any one element or combinations of elements can be included in each aspect of the invention. This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing”, “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based at least in part on the discovery by the inventors of certain small molecules that can inhibit signaling by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and so inhibit an immune response. The compositions and methods of the invention can be used to inhibit immune responses, e.g., unwanted immune responses such as are involved in a variety of conditions and diseases characterized by antigen-specific or antigen-nonspecific immune responses. Such conditions and diseases include, without limitation, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, and transplant rejection. Thus the invention relates at least in part to novel compositions and methods for their use in the treatment of diseases and disorders characterized by unwanted immune responses, including autoimmune disorders, inflammation, and transplant rejection.

Significantly, the compositions and methods of the invention can be used either with or without knowledge of the particular antigen or antigens that may be involved in an immune response. The compounds discovered according to the invention are inhibitors of one or more so-called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that signal immune cells in response to their interaction with particular nucleic acid molecules. Alternatively or in addition, the compounds discovered according to the invention are inhibitors of one or more so-called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that signal immune cells in response to their interaction with nucleic acid molecule-containing complexes, e.g., certain immune complexes. Of particular interest in connection with the instant invention are TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, PRRs for certain nucleic acid molecules.

TLR7 interacts with single- and double-stranded RNA in a sequence-dependent manner, as well as with the imidazoquinolines imiquimod (R837) and resiquimod (R848). Heil F et al. (2004) Science 303:1526-9. In humans TLR7 is expressed in B cells and both myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). In mice TLR7 is expressed in pDC.

TLR8 interacts with single-stranded RNA in a sequence-dependent manner, as well as with the imidazoquinolines imiquimod (R837) and resiquimod (R848). Heil F et al. (2004) Science 303:1526-9. In humans TLR8 is expressed in myeloid cells, but TLR8 is not expressed in mice.

TLR9 interacts with DNA containing CpG motifs that include unmethylated 5′ cytosine-guanine 3′ (CG) dinucleotides occurring within a the context of certain short flanking nucleotide sequences. Hemmi H et al. (2000) Nature 408:740-5. In humans TLR9 is expressed in B cells and pDC. In mice, TLR9 is expressed in B cells, pDC, and mDC.

As used herein, the term “CpG DNA” refers to an immunostimulatory nucleic acid which contains a cytosine-guanine (CG) dinucleotide, the C residue of which is unmethylated. The effects of CpG nucleic acids on immune modulation have been described extensively in U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,194,388; 6,207,646; 6,239,116; and 6,218,371, and published international patent applications, such as WO98/37919, WO98/40100, WO98/52581, and WO99/56755. The entire contents of each of these patents and published patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference. The entire immunostimulatory nucleic acid can be unmethylated or portions may be unmethylated but at least the C of the 5′-CG-3′ must be unmethylated.

CpG DNA includes both naturally occurring immunostimulatory nucleic acids, as found in bacterial DNA and plasmids, as well as synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN).

In one embodiment the CpG DNA is a CpG ODN that has a base sequence provided by 5′-TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT-3′ (ODN 2006; SEQ ID NO:1).

CpG ODN have been further classified by structure and function into at least the following three classes or types, all of which are intended to be encompassed within the term CpG DNA as used herein: B-class CpG ODN such as ODN 2006 include the originally described immunostimulatory CpG ODN and characteristically activate B cells and NK cells but do not induce or only weakly induce expression of type I interferon (e.g., IFN-α). A-class CpG ODN, described in published PCT international application WO 01/22990, incorporate a CpG motif, include a chimeric phosphodiester/phosphorothioate backbone, and characteristically activate NK cells and induce plasmacytoid dendritic cells to express large amounts of IFN-α but do not activate or only weakly activate B cells. An example of an A-class CpG ODN is 5′-G*G*G_G_G_A_C_G_A_T_C_G_T_C_G*G*G*G*G*G-3′ (ODN 2216, SEQ ID NO:2), wherein “*” represents phosphorothioate and “_” represents phosphodiester. C-class CpG ODN incorporate a CpG, include a wholly phosphorothioate backbone, include a GC-rich palindromic or nearly-palindromic region, and are capable of both activating B cells and inducing expression of IFN-α. C-class CpG ODN have been described, for example, in published U.S. patent application 2003/0148976. An example of a C-class CpG ODN is 5′-TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCG-3′ (ODN 2395; SEQ ID NO:3). For a review of the various classes of CpG ODN, see also Vollmer J et al. (2004) Eur J Immunol 34:251-62.

TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 are characteristically expressed in endosomes of these particular classes of immune cells, and they are known to be inhibited by certain compounds, including in particular chloroquine and derivatives thereof, that are concentrated in endosomes.

A number of publications have described small molecule inhibitors of TLR9. These include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,221,882, 6,399,630, 6,479,504, 6,521,637, and US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-0232856 and 2005-0119273, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The inhibitor molecules disclosed in these patents and published patent applications include certain 4-aminoquinolines, 9-aminoacridines, 4-aminoquinazolines, and others, all of which are to be distinguished from the compositions disclosed herein.

The instant invention is based in part on the use of molecular modeling to perform a systematic study of predicted inhibitory activities of two-ringed core compounds substituted with any of a number of particular side group substituents. The modeling method provides a quantitative prediction of IC₅₀ for a given compound, that is, the concentration required for half-maximal inhibition of immunostimulation induced by a stimulatory amount or concentration of suitable agonist. In one embodiment the IC₅₀ is the concentration required for half-maximal inhibition of immunostimulation induced by EC₅₀ of suitable agonist, e.g., CpG DNA for TLR9. The EC₅₀ of an agonist is the concentration of agonist required for half-maximal stimulation by that agonist. A typical EC₅₀ value for CpG DNA in respect of TLR9 is about 1 μM. In general, compounds with lower IC₅₀ values are preferred over compounds with higher IC₅₀ values. Predicted IC₅₀ values for many compounds of interest typically fall within the range of less than 1 nM to about 2000 nM. Many compounds of interest have predicted IC₅₀ values of less than or equal to about 500 nM, including, more particularly, those with predicted IC₅₀ values of less than or equal to about 100 nM. As disclosed in the examples herein, many compounds of particular interest have predicted IC₅₀ values of less than or equal to about 50 nM. Also as disclosed in the examples herein, many compounds of particular interest have predicted IC₅₀ values of less than or equal to about 30 nM. At least some compounds of particular interest have predicted IC₅₀ values of less than or equal to about 1 nM.

Compounds identified by their predicted IC₅₀ values can be evaluated for their potential as immunoinhibitory compounds and therapeutic agents. As disclosed herein, a candidate compound can be selected on the basis of its predicted IC₅₀ value and tested in vitro to determine a corresponding actual in vitro IC₅₀ value. Similarly, a candidate compound can be selected on the basis of its predicted IC₅₀ value and tested in vivo to determine a corresponding actual in vivo IC₅₀ value. Compounds with lower predicted IC₅₀ values can be selected for in vitro and in vivo evaluation ahead of other compounds with higher predicted IC₅₀ values. Generally compounds with lower actual IC₅₀ values can be selected for further evaluation and development. Additional factors such as toxicity and solubility may be assessed in order to help select particular compounds for further development.

Particularly for clinical use, the invention embraces both the compounds alone as disclosed herein, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the invention, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, can be placed in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to make pharmaceutical compositions. The compounds and compositions of the invention optionally can in addition be used or presented in combination with at least one other pharmaceutically active agent.

Also embraced by the instant invention are stereoisomers of the compounds as disclosed herein.

Compounds of the invention generally have certain core structures characterized by a two-ringed system, variously and optionally substituted in specified positions with particular substituents, as disclosed herein as structural formulas I-XXXVII. In addition to those compounds disclosed on the basis of their broader structural formulas and descriptions, nonlimiting embodiments of specific compounds according to the invention are disclosed in the examples below.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” is recognized in the art and may include saturated aliphatic groups, including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl groups, cycloalkyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl groups, and cycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl has about 30 or fewer carbon atoms in its backbone (e.g., C₁-C₃₀ for straight chain, C₃-C₃₀ for branched chain), and alternatively, about 20 or fewer. Likewise, cycloalkyls have from about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and alternatively about 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” shall refer to the group —O-alkyl.

As used herein, the term “halide” is given its ordinary meaning in the art and shall refer to a fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle” is recognized in the art and shall refer to 3- to about 10-membered ring structures, such as 3- to about 7-membered rings, whose ring structures include one to four heteroatoms. Heterocycles may also be polycycles. Examples of heterocyclyl groups include, for example, thiophene, thianthrene, furan, pyran, isobenzofuran, chromene, xanthene, phenoxathin, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, pyrimidine, phenanthroline, phenazine, phenarsazine, phenothiazine, furazan, phenoxazine, pyrrolidine, oxolane, thiolane, oxazole, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, lactones, lactams such as azetidinones and pyrrolidinones, sultams, sultones, and the like.

As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds, “permissible” being in the context of the chemical rules of valence known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some cases, “substituted” may generally refer to replacement of a hydrogen with a substituent as described herein. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include, for example, include those described herein. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valencies of the heteroatoms. This invention is not intended to be limited in any manner by the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Examples of substituents include, but are not limited to, lower alkyl, lower aryl, lower aralkyl, lower cyclic alkyl, lower heterocycloalkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower aryloxy, perhaloalkoxy, aralkoxy, lower heteroaryl, lower heteroaryloxy, lower heteroarylalkyl, lower heteroaralkoxy, azido, amino, halogen, lower alkylthio, oxo, lower acylalkyl, lower carboxy esters, carboxyl, -carboxamido, nitro, lower acyloxy, lower aminoalkyl, lower alkylaminoaryl, lower alkylaryl, lower alkylaminoalkyl, lower alkoxyaryl, lower arylamino, lower aralkylamino, lower alkylsulfonyl, lower-carboxamidoalkylaryl, lower-carboxamidoaryl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower alkylaminoalkylcarboxy-, lower aminocarboxamidoalkyl-, cyano, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower perhaloalkyl, lower arylalkyloxyalkyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted”, as used in reference to a particular class of chemical substituent, shall refer both to the unsubstituted form of the substituent and to a substituted form of the substituent. For example, the phrase “optionally substituted alkyl” refers both to alkyl and to substituted alkyl.

As used herein, the terms “nitrogen” and, equivalently, “N”, refer to a nitrogen atom.

As used herein, the terms “oxygen” and, equivalently, “O”, refer to an oxygen atom.

As used herein, the terms “hydrogen” and, equivalently, “H”, refer to a hydrogen atom.

The invention in one aspect relates to a method for reducing signaling by a TLR selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9. Each of these TLRs induces one or more intracellular signaling pathways as a consequence of interaction with a suitable agonist, e.g., a natural ligand. The signaling normally leads eventually to activation of at least one gene or at least one protein. In one embodiment a protein activated by a TLR signaling pathway is NF-κB. Activated NF-κB is a ubiquitous transcription factor that binds to promoters of a variety of genes involved in immune cell activation, thereby stimulating transcription of these genes.

In addition to its ability to stimulate expression of endogenous genes, activated NF-κB can also stimulate expression of suitable NF-κB-sensitive exogenous genes such as reporter constructs well known in the art and described herein. A common NF-κB-sensitive reporter construct is based on a luciferase gene placed under the control of an NF-κB-sensitive promoter. When introduced into a suitable host cell, and in the presence of activated NF-κB, this reporter construct directs the expression in the cell of luciferase, a luminescent protein that can be conveniently and quantitatively assayed by measurement, at an appropriate wavelength, of light emitted by the expressed luciferase protein. Thus signaling by a TLR selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 can be measured, for example, by measuring NF-κB activation, either directly or indirectly, such as through measurement of an expressed product of an NF-κB-driven endogenous gene or NF-κB-driven reporter (e.g., luciferase).

The method results in a reduced level of signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR as compared to a control level of signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist of the TLR. A control level of signaling is that level of signaling in response to the agonist of the TLR that occurs in absence of contacting a cell expressing the TLR with a compound or composition of the invention. For purposes of comparing treatment and control amounts of signaling, conditions are generally selected such that the number or concentration of TLR-expressing cells, the amount or concentration of the TLR agonist, temperature, and other such variables are identical or at least comparable between treatment and control measurements, so as to isolate the effect of the composition of the invention. Treatment and control measurements can be made in parallel or they can be made independently. For example, in one embodiment the control is a historical control. In one embodiment the control is a concurrent, parallel control.

Signaling is reduced whenever it is measurably less than a corresponding control amount of signaling. In various separate embodiments the reduced signaling is at least 5 percent, at least 10 percent, at least 15 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 25 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, and at least 50 percent less than control. In other words, in various separate embodiments the reduced signaling is less than or equal to 95 percent, less than or equal to 90 percent, less than or equal to 85 percent, less than or equal to 80 percent, less than or equal to 75 percent, less than or equal to 70 percent, less than or equal to 60 percent, and less than or equal to 50 percent of control.

The method involves contacting a cell expressing the TLR, or a population of cells expressing the TLR, with a compound or composition of the invention. As used herein, a “cell expressing a TLR” refers to any cell which expresses, either naturally or artificially, a functional TLR. A functional TLR is a full-length TLR protein or a fragment thereof capable of inducing a signal in response to interaction with its ligand. Generally the functional TLR will include at least a TLR ligand-binding fragment of the extracellular domain of the full-length TLR and at least a fragment of a TIR domain capable of interacting with another Toll homology domain-containing polypeptide, e.g., MyD88. In various embodiments the functional TLR is a full-length TLR selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9.

In one embodiment a cell expressing the TLR is a cell that naturally expressed the TLR.

In one embodiment a cell that naturally expresses TLR9 is a cell from human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI 8226 (ATCC CCL-155, American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, Va.). This cell line was established from the peripheral blood of a 61-year-old man at the time of diagnosis of multiple myeloma (IgG lambda type). Matsuoka Y et al. (1967) Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 125:1246-50. RPMI 8226 was previously reported as responsive to CpG nucleic acids as evidenced by the induction of IL-6 protein and IL-12p40 mRNA. Takeshita F et al. (2000) Eur J Immunol 30:108-16; Takeshita F et al. (2000) Eur J Immunol 30:1967-76. Takeshita et al. used the cell line solely to study promoter constructs in order to identify transcription factor binding sites important for CpG nucleic acid signaling. It is now known that RPMI 8226 cells secrete a number of other chemokines and cytokines including IL-8, IL-10 and IP-10 in response to immunostimulatory nucleic acids. Because this cell line expresses TLR9, through which immunostimulatory nucleic acids such as for example CpG nucleic acids mediate their effects, it is a suitable cell line for use in the methods of the invention relating to reducing signaling by human TLR9.

Similar to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the RPMI 8226 cell line has been observed to upregulate its cell surface expression of markers such as CD71, CD86 and HLA-DR in response to CpG nucleic acid exposure. This has been observed by flow cytometric analysis of the cell line. Accordingly, the methods provided herein can be structured to use appropriately selected cell surface marker expression as a readout, in addition to or in place of chemokine or cytokine production or other readouts described elsewhere herein.

The RPMI 8226 cell line has also been found to respond to certain small molecules including imidazoquinoline compounds. For example, incubation of RPMI 8226 cells with the imidazoquinoline compound R848 (resiquimod) induces IL-8, IL-10, and IP-10 production. It has recently been reported that R848 mediates its immunostimulatory effects through TLR7 and TLR8. The ability of RPMI 8226 to respond to R848 suggests that the RPMI 8226 cell line also expresses TLR7, as previously reported for normal human B cells.

The RPMI cell line can be used in unmodified form or in a modified form. In one embodiment, the RPMI 8226 cell is transfected with a reporter construct. Preferably, the cell is stably transfected with the reporter construct. The reporter construct generally includes a promoter, a coding sequence and a polyadenylation signal. The coding sequence can include a reporter sequence selected from the group consisting of an enzyme (e.g., luciferase, alkaline phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), secreted alkaline phosphatase, etc.), a bioluminescence marker (e.g., green fluorescent protein (GFP, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,084), etc.), a surface-expressed molecule (e.g., CD25), a secreted molecule (e.g., IL-8, IL-12 p40, TNF-α, etc.), and other detectable protein products known to those of skill in the art. Preferably, the coding sequence encodes a protein having a level or an activity that is quantifiable.

In certain embodiments the TLR is artificially expressed (including over-expressed) by a cell, for example by introduction into the cell of an expression vector bearing a coding sequence for the TLR wherein the coding sequence is operably linked to a gene expression sequence. As used herein, a coding sequence and a gene expression sequence are said to be operably linked when they are covalently linked in such a way as to place the expression or transcription and/or translation of the coding sequence under the influence or control of the gene expression sequence. Two DNA sequences are said to be operably linked if induction of a promoter in the 5′ gene expression sequence results in the transcription of the coding sequence and if the nature of the linkage between the two DNA sequences does not (1) result in the introduction of a frame-shift mutation, (2) interfere with the ability of the promoter region to direct the transcription of the coding sequence, or (3) interfere with the ability of the corresponding RNA transcript to be translated into a protein. Thus, a gene expression sequence would be operably linked to a coding sequence if the gene expression sequence were capable of effecting transcription of that coding sequence such that the resulting transcript is translated into the desired protein or polypeptide.

As noted above, in one embodiment a coding sequence includes a coding sequence for a TLR. In another embodiment a coding sequence includes a coding sequence for a reporter, e.g. luciferase.

A cell that artificially expresses a TLR can be a cell that does not express the TLR but for the TLR expression vector. For example, human 293 fibroblasts (ATCC CRL-1573) do not express TLR7, TLR8, or TLR9. Such cells can be transiently or stably transfected with a suitable expression vector (or vectors) so as to yield cells that express TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a cell that artificially expresses a TLR can be a cell that expresses the TLR at a significantly higher level with the TLR expression vector than it does without the TLR expression vector.

Coding sequences for various TLRs of various species are known in the art and are available from public databases. For example, complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences for human and murine TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 are all available from GenBank. These cDNA sequences and GenBank entries include and further specify coding sequences for each TLR.

In one embodiment a coding sequence for human TLR7 is provided as nucleotides 140-3289 in GenBank Accession No. NM_(—)016562. In one embodiment a coding sequence for murine TLR7 is provided as nucleotides 49-3201 of GenBank Accession No. AY035889.

In one embodiment a coding sequence for human TLR8 is provided as nucleotides 49-3174 in GenBank Accession No. AF245703. In one embodiment a coding sequence for murine TLR8 is provided as nucleotides 59-3157 of GenBank Accession No. AY035890.

In one embodiment a coding sequence for human TLR9 is provided as nucleotides 145-3243 in GenBank Accession No. AF245704. In one embodiment a coding sequence for murine TLR9 is provided as nucleotides 40-3138 of GenBank Accession No. AF348140.

For use in the methods of the instant invention, a cell that artificially expresses a TLR is in one embodiment a stably transfected cell that expresses the TLR. Such a cell can also be stably transfected with a suitable reporter construct.

The invention in one aspect relates to a method for reducing an immune response. As used herein, an immune response refers to a response to an appropriate stimulus by a cell of the immune system, a population of cells of the immune system, or by an immune system. An immune system as used herein refers to an immune system of a mammal, specifically including but not limited to an immune system of a human.

A cell of an immune system can be any cell that is classified as an immune cell. Such cells include B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, mast cells, basophils, granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells, and other professional antigen-presenting cells, as well as subcategories and precursors thereof. In one embodiment a cell of the immune system can be an isolated cell of the immune system.

A population of cells of the immune system refers to at least two cells, and more typically at least one thousand cells, of the immune system. In one embodiment a population of cells of the immune system can be an isolated population of cells of the immune system. In one embodiment a population of cells of the immune system is an isolated population of PBMC.

In one embodiment the method involves contacting a population of immune cells expressing a TLR selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with a compound or composition of the invention. Immune cells that express TLR7, TLR8, or TLR9 can, but need not necessarily, be mutually exclusive. As mentioned above, immune cells expressing TLR7 can include B cells and dendritic cells, and immune cells expressing TLR8 can include myeloid cells. Also as mentioned above, immune cells expressing TLR9 can include B cells and pDC.

The method involves measuring a reduced immune response compared to a control immune response. A control immune response is an immune response that occurs in absence of contacting an immune cell, or a population of immune cells, with a compound or composition of the invention. For purposes of comparing treatment and control immune responses, conditions are generally selected such that the number or concentration of TLR-expressing cells, the amount or concentration of the TLR agonist, temperature, and other such variables are identical or at least comparable between treatment and control measurements, so as to isolate the effect of the composition of the invention. Treatment and control measurements can be made in parallel or they can be made independently. For example, in one embodiment the control is a historical control. In one embodiment the control is a concurrent, parallel control.

An immune response is reduced whenever it is measurably less than the control immune response. In various separate embodiments the reduced immune response is at least 5 percent, at least 10 percent, at least 15 percent, at least 20 percent, at least 25 percent, at least 30 percent, at least 40 percent, and at least 50 percent less than control. In other words, in various separate embodiments the reduced immune response is less than or equal to 95 percent, less than or equal to 90 percent, less than or equal to 85 percent, less than or equal to 80 percent, less than or equal to 75 percent, less than or equal to 70 percent, less than or equal to 60 percent, and less than or equal to 50 percent of control.

In one embodiment the immune response is a Th1-like immune response. A Th1-like immune response refers to an immune response characterized by at least one feature characteristic of a Th1 immune response. In one embodiment a Th1-like immune response is a Th1 immune response. Features of a Th1 immune response can include secretion of one or more Th1 cytokines, immunoglobulin class switching to IgG1 (in humans) or IgG2a (in mice), and cell-mediated immunity. In contrast, features of a Th2 immune response can include secretion of one or more Th2 cytokines, immunoglobulin class switching to IgE (in humans and in mice) and IgG2 (in humans) or IgG1 (in mice), and humoral immunity.

As used herein, “cytokine” refers to any of a number of soluble proteins or glycoproteins that act on immune cells through specific receptors to affect the state of activation and function of the immune cells. Cytokines include interferons, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, transforming growth factor beta, colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), chemokines, as well as others. Various cytokines affect innate immunity, acquired immunity, or both. Cytokines specifically include, without limitation, IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-18, TNF-α, TGF-β, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Chemokines specifically include, without limitation, IL-8, IP-10, I-TAC, RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, Gro-α, Gro-β, Gro-γ, MCP-1, MCP-2, and MCP-3.

Most mature CD4⁺ T helper cells can be categorized into one of two cytokine-associated, cross-regulatory subsets or phenotypes: Th1 or Th2. Th1 cells are associated with IL-2, IL-3, IFN, GM-CSF, and high levels of TNF-α. Th2 cells are associated with IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, GM-CSF, and low levels of TNF-α. The Th1 subset promotes both cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity that is characterized by immunoglobulin class switching to IgG2a in mice. Th1 responses can also be associated with delayed-type hypersensitivity and autoimmune disease. The Th2 subset induces primarily humoral immunity and induces immunoglobulin class switching to IgE and IgG1 in mice. The antibody isotypes associated with Th1 responses generally have good neutralizing and opsonizing capabilities, whereas those associated with Th2 responses are associated more with allergic responses.

Several factors have been shown to influence commitment to Th1 or Th2 profiles. The best characterized regulators are cytokines. IL-12 and IFN-γ are positive Th1 regulators and negative Th2 regulators. IL-12 promotes IFN-γ production, and IFN-γ provides positive feedback for IL-12. IL-4 and IL-10 appear to be required for the establishment of the Th2 cytokine profile and to down-regulate Th1 cytokine production; the effects of IL-4 are in some cases dominant over those of IL-12. IL-13 has been reported to inhibit expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-12 and TNF-α by LPS-induced monocytes, in a way similar to IL-4.

The method will generally further involve contacting the immune cells with an antigen, TLR agonist, or other stimulus normally involved inducing an immune response by the immune cells. The contacting in one embodiment can involve the step of adding or administering an antigen, TLR agonist, or other stimulus normally involved inducing an immune response by the immune cells. In one embodiment the contacting can entail passive exposure of the immune cells with an antigen, TLR agonist, or other stimulus normally involved inducing an immune response by the immune cells. Passive contacting can occur, for example, in a subject having an autoimmune disease, inflammation, or transplant rejection.

In one embodiment the method relates to a method for reducing an immune response in a subject. As used herein, a subject refers to a mammal. In one embodiment the subject is a human. In another embodiment the subject is a non-human primate. In yet another embodiment the subject is a mammal other than a primate, including but not limited to a mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, cat, dog, goat, sheep, pig, horse, or cow.

In one embodiment the immune response is an immune response to an antigen. As used herein, an antigen refers to any substance that induces an adaptive (specific) immune response. An antigen typically is any substance that can be specifically bound by a T-cell antigen receptor, antibody, or B-cell antigen receptor. Antigenic substances include, without limitation, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phospholipids, nucleic acids, autacoids, and hormones. Antigens specifically include allergens, autoantigens (i.e., self-antigens), cancer antigens, and microbial antigens. In respect of peptide antigens and protein antigens, antigens further include both antigens per se and nucleic acids encoding said antigens.

An allergen is a substance that can induce an allergic or asthmatic response in a susceptible subject. The list of allergens is enormous and can include pollens, insect venoms, animal dander, dust, fungal spores and drugs (e.g., penicillin). Examples of natural animal and plant allergens include proteins specific to the following genera: Canis (Canis familiaris); Dermatophagoides (e.g., Dermatophagoides farinae); Felis (e.g., Felis domesticus); Ambrosia (e.g., Ambrosia artemuisfolia); Lolium (e.g., Lolium perenne and Lolium multiflorum); Cryptomeria (e.g., Cryptomeria japonica); Alternaria (e.g., Alternaria alternata); Alder; Alnus (e.g., Alnus gultinosa); Betula (e.g., Betula verrucosa); Quercus (e.g., Quercus alba); Olea (e.g., Olea europa); Artemisia (e.g., Artemisia vulgaris); Plantago (e.g., Plantago lanceolata); Parietaria (e.g., Parietaria officinalis and Parietaria judaica); Blattella (e.g., Blattella germanica); Apis (e.g., Apis multiforum); Cupressus (e.g., Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressus arizonica, and Cupressus macrocarpa); Juniperus (e.g., Juniperus sabinoides, Juniperus virginiana, Juniperus communis, and Juniperus ashel); Thuya (e.g., Thuya orientalis); Chamaecyparis (e.g., Chamaecyparis obtusa); Periplaneta (e.g., Periplaneta americana); Agropyron (e.g., Agropyron repens); Secale (e.g., Secale cereale); Triticum (e.g., Triticum aestivum); Dactylis (e.g., Dactylis glomerata); Festuca (e.g., Festuca elatior); Poa (e.g., Poa pratensis and Poa compressa); Avena (e.g., Avena sativa); Holcus (e.g., Holcus lanatus); Anthoxanthum (e.g., Anthoxanthum odoratum); Arrhenatherum (e.g., Arrhenatherum elatius); Agrostis (e.g., Agrostis alba); Phleum (e.g., Phleum pratense); Phalaris (e.g., Phalaris arundinacea); Paspalum (e.g., Paspalum notatum); Sorghum (e.g., Sorghum halepensis); and Bromus (e.g., Bromus inermis). The term “allergy” refers to acquired hypersensitivity to a substance (allergen). An “allergic reaction” is the response of an immune system to an allergen in a subject allergic to the allergen. Allergic conditions include eczema, allergic rhinitis or coryza, hay fever, bronchial asthma, urticaria (hives) and food allergies, and other atopic conditions.

Autoantigens include any antigen of host origin, but they specifically include antigens characteristic of an autoimmune disease or condition. Autoantigens characteristic of an autoimmune disease or condition can be associated with, but not necessarily established as causative of, an autoimmune disorder. Specific examples of autoantigens characteristic of an autoimmune disease or condition include but are not limited to insulin, thyroglobulin, glomerular basement membrane, acetylcholine receptor, DNA, and myelin basic protein.

A cancer antigen as used herein is a compound, such as a peptide or protein, associated with a tumor or cancer cell surface and which is capable of provoking an immune response when expressed on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Cancer antigens can be prepared from cancer cells either by preparing crude extracts of cancer cells, for example, as described in Cohen P A et al. (1994) Cancer Res 54:1055-8, by partially purifying the antigens, by recombinant technology, or by de novo synthesis of known antigens. Cancer antigens include but are not limited to antigens that are recombinantly expressed, an immunogenic portion thereof, or a whole tumor or cancer cell. Such antigens can be isolated or prepared recombinantly or by any other means known in the art.

The terms “cancer antigen” and “tumor antigen” are used interchangeably and refer to antigens which are differentially expressed by cancer cells and can thereby be exploited in order to target cancer cells. Cancer antigens are antigens which can potentially stimulate apparently tumor-specific immune responses. Some of these antigens are encoded, although not necessarily expressed, by normal cells. These antigens can be characterized as those which are normally silent (i.e., not expressed) in normal cells, those that are expressed only at certain stages of differentiation and those that are temporally expressed such as embryonic and fetal antigens. Other cancer antigens are encoded by mutant cellular genes, such as oncogenes (e.g., activated ras oncogene), suppressor genes (e.g., mutant p53), fusion proteins resulting from internal deletions or chromosomal translocations. Still other cancer antigens can be encoded by viral genes such as those carried on RNA and DNA tumor viruses.

Examples of tumor antigens include MAGE, MART-1/Melan-A, gp100, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), adenosine deaminase-binding protein (ADAbp), cyclophilin b, Colorectal associated antigen (CRC)—0017-1A/GA733, Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and its immunogenic epitopes CAP-1 and CAP-2, etv6, aml1, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and its immunogenic epitopes PSA-1, PSA-2, and PSA-3, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), T-cell receptor/CD3-zeta chain, MAGE-family of tumor antigens (e.g., MAGE-A1, MAGE-A2, MAGE-A3, MAGE-A4, MAGE-A5, MAGE-A6, MAGE-A7, MAGE-A8, MAGE-A9, MAGE-A10, MAGE-A11, MAGE-A12, MAGE-Xp2 (MAGE-B2), MAGE-Xp3 (MAGE-B3), MAGE-Xp4 (MAGE-B4), MAGE-C1, MAGE-C2, MAGE-C3, MAGE-C4, MAGE-C5), GAGE-family of tumor antigens (e.g., GAGE-1, GAGE-2, GAGE-3, GAGE-4, GAGE-5, GAGE-6, GAGE-7, GAGE-8, GAGE-9), BAGE, RAGE, LAGE-1, NAG, GnT-V, MUM-1, CDK4, tyrosinase, p53, MUC family, HER2/neu, p21 ras, RCAS1, α-fetoprotein, E-cadherin, α-catenin, β-catenin and γ-catenin, p120ctn, gp100.sup.Pmel 117, FRAME, NY-ESO-1, cdc27, adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC), fodrin, Connexin 37, Ig-idiotype, p15, gp75, GM2 and GD2 gangliosides, viral products such as human papillomavirus proteins, Smad family of tumor antigens, lmp-1, P1 A, EBV-encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA)-1, brain glycogen phosphorylase, SSX-1, SSX-2 (HOM-MEL-40), SSX-1, SSX-4, SSX-5, SCP-1 and CT-7, and c-erbB-2.

Cancers or tumors and tumor antigens associated with such tumors (but not exclusively), include acute lymphoblastic leukemia (etv6; aml1; cyclophilin b), B cell lymphoma (Ig-idiotype), glioma (E-cadherin; α-catenin; β-catenin; γ-catenin; p120ctn), bladder cancer (p21ras), biliary cancer (p21ras), breast cancer (MUC family; HER2/neu; c-erbB-2), cervical carcinoma (p53; p21ras), colon carcinoma (p21 ras; HER2/neu; c-erbB-2; MUC family), colorectal cancer (Colorectal associated antigen (CRC)—C017-1A/GA733; APC), choriocarcinoma (CEA), epithelial cell cancer (cyclophilin b), gastric cancer (HER2/neu; c-erbB-2; ga733 glycoprotein), hepatocellular cancer (α-fetoprotein), Hodgkin's lymphoma (imp-1; EBNA-1), lung cancer (CEA; MAGE-3; NY-ESO-1), lymphoid cell-derived leukemia (cyclophilin b), melanoma (p115 protein, gp75, oncofetal antigen, GM2 and GD2 gangliosides), myeloma (MUC family; p21ras), non-small cell lung carcinoma (HER2/neu; c-erbB-2), nasopharyngeal cancer (Imp-1; EBNA-1), ovarian cancer (MUC family; HER2/neu; c-erbB-2), prostate cancer (Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and its immunogenic epitopes PSA-1, PSA-2, and PSA-3; prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA); HER2/neu; c-erbB-2), pancreatic cancer (p21ras; MUC family; HER2/neu; c-erbB-2; ga733 glycoprotein), renal cancer (HER2/neu; c-erbB-2), squamous cell cancers of cervix and esophagus (viral products such as human papillomavirus proteins), testicular cancer (NY-ESO-1), T-cell leukemia (HTLV-1 epitopes), and melanoma (Melan-A/MART-1; cdc27; MAGE-3; p21ras; gp100.sup.Pmel117).

A microbial antigen can be an antigen that is or is derived from an infectious microbial agent, including a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, or a parasite.

Examples of infectious bacteria include: Helicobacter pylori, Borrelia burgdorferi, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacteria sps (such as. M. tuberculosis, M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, and M. gordonae), Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus), Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus), Streptococcus (viridans group), Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus bovis, Streptococcus (anaerobic sps.), Streptococcus pneumoniae, pathogenic Campylobacter sp., Enterococcus sp., Haemophilus influenzae, Bacillus anthracis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium sp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pasturella multocida, Bacteroides sp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Treponema pallidum, Treponema pertenue, Leptospira, and Actinomyces israelii.

Examples of infectious virus include: Retroviridae (including but not limited to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)); Picornaviridae (for example, polio viruses, hepatitis A virus; enteroviruses, human coxsackie viruses, rhinoviruses, echoviruses); Calciviridae (such as strains that cause gastroenteritis); Togaviridae (for example, equine encephalitis viruses, rubella viruses); Flaviviridae (for example, dengue viruses, encephalitis viruses, yellow fever viruses); Coronaviridae (for example, coronaviruses); Rhabdoviridae (for example, vesicular stomatitis viruses, rabies viruses); Filoviridae (for example, ebola viruses); Paramyxoviridae (for example, parainfluenza viruses, mumps virus, measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus); Orthomyxoviridae (for example, influenza viruses); Bunyaviridae (for example, Hantaan viruses, bunya viruses, phleboviruses, and Nairo viruses); Arenaviridae (hemorrhagic fever viruses); Reoviridae (e.g., reoviruses, orbiviurses, and rotaviruses); Birnaviridae; Hepadnaviridae (Hepatitis B virus); Parvoviridae (parvoviruses); Papovaviridae (papilloma viruses, polyoma viruses); Adenoviridae (most adenoviruses); Herpesviridae (herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and HSV-2, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes viruses); Poxyiridae (variola viruses, vaccinia viruses, pox viruses); and Iridoviridae (such as African swine fever virus); and unclassified viruses (for example, the etiological agents of spongiform encephalopathies, the agent of delta hepatitis (thought to be a defective satellite of hepatitis B virus), the agents of non-A, non-B hepatitis (class 1=internally transmitted; class 2=parenterally transmitted (i.e., Hepatitis C); Norwalk and related viruses, and astroviruses).

Examples of infectious fungi include, but are not limited to, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Candida albicans.

The invention in one aspect relates to a method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject. As used herein, an autoimmune condition refers to an autoimmune disease or disorder, i.e., an immunologically mediated acute or chronic process, directed by immune cells of a host subject against a tissue or organ of the host subject, resulting in injury to the tissue or organ. The term encompasses both cellular and antibody-mediated autoimmune phenomena, as well as organ-specific and organ-nonspecific autoimmunity.

Autoimmune conditions specifically include insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Autoimmune diseases also include, without limitation, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune-associated infertility, Behçet's syndrome, bullous pemphigoid, Churg-Strauss disease, glomerulonephritis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Graves' disease, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, idiopathic Addison's disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, insulin resistance, mixed connective tissue disease, myasthenia gravis, pemphigus, pernicious anemia, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, primary biliary sclerosis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome, sarcoidosis, sclerosing cholangitis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma and CREST syndrome), Takayasu's arteritis, temporal arteritis, and Wegener's granulomatosis. All of these entities are well known in the medical arts and need not be described further here.

The method of treatment of an autoimmune condition in a subject specifically includes treatment of a human subject. In one embodiment the autoimmune condition is systemic lupus erythematosus. In one embodiment the autoimmune condition is rheumatoid arthritis.

The method of treatment of an autoimmune condition in a subject optionally can further include administration of another treatment agent or treatment modality useful in the treatment of the autoimmune condition. For example, the method can include administration of a compound or composition of the invention, either alone or in combination with an agent such as a corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone), a cytokine (e.g., IFN-α), or other suitable immunomodulatory agent. In this context, “in combination with” can refer to simultaneous administration at a single site of administration, or at different sites of administration. Alternatively and in addition, “in combination with” can refer to sequential administration at a single site of administration, or at different sites of administration.

As will be evident from the foregoing, autoimmune diseases also include certain immune complex-associated diseases. The term “immune complex-associated disease” as used herein refers to any disease characterized by the production and/or tissue deposition of immune complexes, including, but not limited to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related connective tissue diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C- and hepatitis B-related immune complex disease (e.g., cryoglobulinemia), Behçet's syndrome, autoimmune glomerulonephritides, and vasculopathy associated with the presence of LDL/anti-LDL immune complexes.

As used herein, the term “treat” as used in reference to a disorder, disease, or condition means to prevent or slow the development of the disorder, disease, or condition; to prevent, slow or halt the progression of the disorder, disease, or condition; and/or to eliminate the disorder, disease, or condition.

For purposes of description that follows, unless otherwise indicated or except as apparent from context, an “active agent” refers to a compound or composition of the invention, disclosed herein.

The term “effective amount” refers to the amount necessary or sufficient to realize a desired biologic effect. Combined with the teachings provided herein, by choosing among the various active compounds and weighing factors such as potency, relative bioavailability, patient body weight, severity of adverse side-effects and preferred mode of administration, an effective prophylactic or therapeutic treatment regimen can be planned which does not cause substantial toxicity and yet is effective to treat the particular subject. The effective amount for any particular application can vary depending on such factors as the disease or condition being treated, the particular active agent being administered, the size of the subject, or the severity of the disease or condition. One of ordinary skill in the art can empirically determine the effective amount of a particular active agent and/or other therapeutic agent without necessitating undue experimentation. It is preferred generally that a maximum dose be used, that is, the highest safe dose according to some medical judgment. Multiple doses per day may be contemplated to achieve appropriate systemic levels of compounds. Appropriate system levels can be determined by, for example, measurement of the subject's peak or sustained plasma level of the active agent. “Dose” and “dosage” are used interchangeably herein.

Generally, daily oral doses of active compounds will be from about 0.01 milligrams/kg per day to 1000 milligrams/kg per day. It is expected that oral doses in the range of 0.5 to 50 milligrams/kg, in one or several administrations per day, will yield the desired results. Dosage may be adjusted appropriately to achieve desired drug levels, local or systemic, depending upon the mode of administration. For example, it is expected that intravenous administration would be from an order to several orders of magnitude lower dose per day. In the event that the response in a subject is insufficient at such doses, even higher doses (or effective higher doses by a different, more localized delivery route) may be employed to the extent that patient tolerance permits. Multiple doses per day are contemplated to achieve appropriate systemic levels of compounds.

For any compound described herein the therapeutically effective amount can be initially determined from animal models. A therapeutically effective dose can also be determined from human data for active agents which have been tested in humans and for compounds which are known to exhibit similar pharmacological activities, such as other related active agents. Higher doses may be required for parenteral administration. The applied dose can be adjusted based on the relative bioavailability and potency of the administered compound. Adjusting the dose to achieve maximal efficacy based on the methods described above and other methods as are well known in the art is well within the capabilities of the ordinarily skilled artisan.

The formulations of the invention are administered in pharmaceutically acceptable solutions, which may routinely contain pharmaceutically acceptable concentrations of salt, buffering agents, preservatives, compatible carriers, adjuvants, and optionally other therapeutic ingredients.

For use in therapy, an effective amount of the active agent can be administered to a subject by any mode that delivers the active agent to the desired surface. Administering the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be accomplished by any means known to the skilled artisan. Preferred routes of administration include but are not limited to oral, parenteral, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intranasal, sublingual, intratracheal, inhalation, ocular, vaginal, and rectal.

For oral administration, the compounds (i.e., active agents, and other therapeutic agents) can be formulated readily by combining the active compound(s) with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art. Such carriers enable the compounds of the invention to be formulated as tablets, pills, drapes, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensions and the like, for oral ingestion by a subject to be treated. Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained as solid excipient, optionally grinding a resulting mixture, and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtain tablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol; cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may be added, such as the cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate. Optionally the oral formulations may also be formulated in saline or buffers, e.g. EDTA for neutralizing internal acid conditions or may be administered without any carriers.

Also specifically contemplated are oral dosage forms of the above component or components. The component or components may be chemically modified so that oral delivery of the derivative is efficacious. Generally, the chemical modification contemplated is the attachment of at least one moiety to the component molecule itself, where said moiety permits (a) inhibition of proteolysis; and (b) uptake into the blood stream from the stomach or intestine. Also desired is the increase in overall stability of the component or components and increase in circulation time in the body. Examples of such moieties include: polyethylene glycol, copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyproline. Abuchowski and Davis, 1981, “Soluble Polymer-Enzyme Adducts” In: Enzymes as Drugs, Hocenberg and Roberts, eds., Wiley-Interscience, New York, N.Y., pp. 367-383; Newmark, et al. (1982) J. Appl. Biochem. 4:185-189. Other polymers that could be used are poly-1,3-dioxolane and poly-1,3,6-tioxocane. Preferred for pharmaceutical usage, as indicated above, are polyethylene glycol moieties.

For the component (or derivative) the location of release may be the stomach, the small intestine (the duodenum, the jejunum, or the ileum), or the large intestine. One skilled in the art has available formulations which will not dissolve in the stomach, yet will release the material in the duodenum or elsewhere in the intestine. Preferably, the release will avoid the deleterious effects of the stomach environment, either by protection of the active agent (or derivative) or by release of the biologically active material beyond the stomach environment, such as in the intestine.

To ensure full gastric resistance a coating impermeable to at least pH 5.0 is essential. Examples of the more common inert ingredients that are used as enteric coatings are cellulose acetate trimellitate (CAT), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), HPMCP 50, HPMCP 55, polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP), Eudragit L30D, Aquateric, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), Eudragit L, Eudragit S, and Shellac. These coatings may be used as mixed films.

A coating or mixture of coatings can also be used on tablets, which are not intended for protection against the stomach. This can include sugar coatings, or coatings which make the tablet easier to swallow. Capsules may consist of a hard shell (such as gelatin) for delivery of dry therapeutic, e.g., powder; for liquid forms, a soft gelatin shell may be used. The shell material of cachets could be thick starch or other edible paper. For pills, lozenges, molded tablets or tablet triturates, moist massing techniques can be used.

The therapeutic can be included in the formulation as fine multi-particulates in the form of granules or pellets of particle size about 1 mm. The formulation of the material for capsule administration could also be as a powder, lightly compressed plugs or even as tablets. The therapeutic could be prepared by compression.

Colorants and flavoring agents may all be included. For example, the active agent (or derivative) may be formulated (such as by liposome or microsphere encapsulation) and then further contained within an edible product, such as a refrigerated beverage containing colorants and flavoring agents.

One may dilute or increase the volume of the therapeutic with an inert material. These diluents could include carbohydrates, especially mannitol, a-lactose, anhydrous lactose, cellulose, sucrose, modified dextrans and starch. Certain inorganic salts may be also be used as fillers including calcium triphosphate, magnesium carbonate and sodium chloride. Some commercially available diluents are Fast-Flo, Emdex, STA-Rx 1500, Emcompress and Avicell.

Disintegrants may be included in the formulation of the therapeutic into a solid dosage form. Materials used as disintegrants include but are not limited to starch, including the commercial disintegrant based on starch, Explotab. Sodium starch glycolate, Amberlite, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ultramylopectin, sodium alginate, gelatin, orange peel, acid carboxymethylcellulose, natural sponge and bentonite may all be used. Another form of the disintegrants are the insoluble cationic exchange resins. Powdered gums may be used as disintegrants and as binders and these can include powdered gums such as agar, Karaya or tragacanth. Alginic acid and its sodium salt are also useful as disintegrants.

Binders may be used to hold the therapeutic agent together to form a hard tablet and include materials from natural products such as acacia, tragacanth, starch and gelatin. Others include methyl cellulose (MC), ethyl cellulose (EC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) could both be used in alcoholic solutions to granulate the therapeutic.

An anti-frictional agent may be included in the formulation of the therapeutic to prevent sticking during the formulation process. Lubricants may be used as a layer between the therapeutic and the die wall, and these can include but are not limited to: stearic acid including its magnesium and calcium salts, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), liquid paraffin, vegetable oils and waxes. Soluble lubricants may also be used such as sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, polyethylene glycol of various molecular weights, Carbowax 4000 and 6000.

Glidants that might improve the flow properties of the drug during formulation and to aid rearrangement during compression might be added. The glidants may include starch, talc, pyrogenic silica and hydrated silicoaluminate.

To aid dissolution of the therapeutic into the aqueous environment a surfactant might be added as a wetting agent. Surfactants may include anionic detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate. Cationic detergents might be used and could include benzalkonium chloride or benzethomium chloride. Potential non-ionic detergents that could be included in the formulation as surfactants include lauromacrogol 400, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 10, 50, and 60, glycerol monostearate, polysorbate 40, 60, 65, and 80, sucrose fatty acid ester, methyl cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose. These surfactants could be present in the formulation of the active agent or derivative either alone or as a mixture in different ratios.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added. Microspheres formulated for oral administration may also be used. Such microspheres have been well defined in the art. All formulations for oral administration should be in dosages suitable for such administration.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention may be conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

Also contemplated herein is pulmonary delivery of the active agent (or derivative thereof). The active agent (or derivative) is delivered to the lungs of a mammal while inhaling and traverses across the lung epithelial lining to the blood stream. Other reports of inhaled molecules include Adjei et al. (1990) Pharmaceutical Research 7:565-569; Adjei et al. (1990) International Journal of Pharmaceutics 63:135-144 (leuprolide acetate); Braquet et al. (1989) Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 13(suppl. 5):143-146 (endothelin-1); Hubbard et al. (1989) Annals of Internal Medicine 111:206-212 (α1-antitrypsin); Smith et al. (1989) J. Clin. Invest. 84:1145-1146 (α-1-proteinase inhibitor); Oswein et al., 1990, “Aerosolization of Proteins”, Proceedings of Symposium on Respiratory Drug Delivery II, Keystone, Colo., March, (recombinant human growth hormone); Debs et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 140:3482-3488 (interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha); and Platz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,656 (granulocyte colony stimulating factor). A method and composition for pulmonary delivery of drugs for systemic effect is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,569, issued Sep. 19, 1995 to Wong et al.

Contemplated for use in the practice of this invention are a wide range of mechanical devices designed for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic products, including but not limited to nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, and powder inhalers, all of which are familiar to those skilled in the art.

Some specific examples of commercially available devices suitable for the practice of this invention are the Ultravent nebulizer, manufactured by Mallinckrodt, Inc., St. Louis, Mo.; the Acorn II nebulizer, manufactured by Marquest Medical Products, Englewood, Colo.; the Ventolin metered dose inhaler, manufactured by Glaxo Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and the Spinhaler powder inhaler, manufactured by Fisons Corp., Bedford, Mass.

All such devices require the use of formulations suitable for the dispensing of active agent (or derivative). Typically, each formulation is specific to the type of device employed and may involve the use of an appropriate propellant material, in addition to the usual diluents, adjuvants and/or carriers useful in therapy. Also, the use of liposomes, microcapsules or microspheres, inclusion complexes, or other types of carriers is contemplated. Chemically modified active agent may also be prepared in different formulations depending on the type of chemical modification or the type of device employed.

Formulations suitable for use with a nebulizer, either jet or ultrasonic, will typically comprise active agent (or derivative) dissolved in water at a concentration of about 0.1 to 25 mg of biologically active agent per ml of solution. The formulation may also include a buffer and a simple sugar (e.g., for active agent stabilization and regulation of osmotic pressure). The nebulizer formulation may also contain a surfactant, to reduce or prevent surface induced aggregation of the active agent caused by atomization of the solution in forming the aerosol.

Formulations for use with a metered-dose inhaler device will generally comprise a finely divided powder containing the active agent (or derivative) suspended in a propellant with the aid of a surfactant. The propellant may be any conventional material employed for this purpose, such as a chlorofluorocarbon, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, a hydrofluorocarbon, or a hydrocarbon, including trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethanol, and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, or combinations thereof. Suitable surfactants include sorbitan trioleate and soya lecithin. Oleic acid may also be useful as a surfactant.

Formulations for dispensing from a powder inhaler device will comprise a finely divided dry powder containing active agent (or derivative) and may also include a bulking agent, such as lactose, sorbitol, sucrose, or mannitol in amounts which facilitate dispersal of the powder from the device, e.g., 50 to 90% by weight of the formulation. The active agent (or derivative) should most advantageously be prepared in particulate form with an average particle size of less than 10 mm (or microns), most preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, for most effective delivery to the distal lung.

Nasal delivery of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is also contemplated. Nasal delivery allows the passage of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention to the blood stream directly after administering the therapeutic product to the nose, without the necessity for deposition of the product in the lung. Formulations for nasal delivery include those with dextran or cyclodextran.

For nasal administration, a useful device is a small, hard bottle to which a metered dose sprayer is attached. In one embodiment, the metered dose is delivered by drawing the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention solution into a chamber of defined volume, which chamber has an aperture dimensioned to aerosolize and aerosol formulation by forming a spray when a liquid in the chamber is compressed. The chamber is compressed to administer the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In a specific embodiment, the chamber is a piston arrangement. Such devices are commercially available.

Alternatively, a plastic squeeze bottle with an aperture or opening dimensioned to aerosolize an aerosol formulation by forming a spray when squeezed is used. The opening is usually found in the top of the bottle, and the top is generally tapered to partially fit in the nasal passages for efficient administration of the aerosol formulation. Preferably, the nasal inhaler will provide a metered amount of the aerosol formulation, for administration of a measured dose of the drug.

The compounds, when it is desirable to deliver them systemically, may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form. Additionally, suspensions of the active compounds may be prepared as appropriate oily injection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain suitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Alternatively, the active compounds may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds may also be formulated in rectal or vaginal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

The pharmaceutical compositions also may comprise suitable solid or gel phase carriers or excipients. Examples of such carriers or excipients include but are not limited to calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars, starches, cellulose derivatives, gelatin, and polymers such as polyethylene glycols.

Suitable liquid or solid pharmaceutical preparation forms are, for example, aqueous or saline solutions for inhalation, microencapsulated, encochleated, coated onto microscopic gold particles, contained in liposomes, nebulized, aerosols, pellets for implantation into the skin, or dried onto a sharp object to be scratched into the skin. The pharmaceutical compositions also include granules, powders, tablets, coated tablets, (micro)capsules, suppositories, syrups, emulsions, suspensions, creams, drops or preparations with protracted release of active compounds, in whose preparation excipients and additives and/or auxiliaries such as disintegrants, binders, coating agents, swelling agents, lubricants, flavorings, sweeteners or solubilizers are customarily used as described above. The pharmaceutical compositions are suitable for use in a variety of drug delivery systems. For a brief review of methods for drug delivery, see Langer (1990) Science 249:1527-1533, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The active agents and optionally other therapeutics may be administered per se (neat) or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. When used in medicine the salts should be pharmaceutically acceptable, but non-pharmaceutically acceptable salts may conveniently be used to prepare pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Such salts include, but are not limited to, those prepared from the following acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric, maleic, acetic, salicylic, p-toluene sulphonic, tartaric, citric, methane sulphonic, formic, malonic, succinic, naphthalene-2-sulphonic, and benzene sulphonic. Also, such salts can be prepared as alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, such as sodium, potassium or calcium salts of the carboxylic acid group.

Suitable buffering agents include: acetic acid and a salt (1-2% w/v); citric acid and a salt (1-3% w/v); boric acid and a salt (0.5-2.5% w/v); and phosphoric acid and a salt (0.8-2% w/v). Suitable preservatives include benzalkonium chloride (0.003-0.03% w/v); chlorobutanol (0.3-0.9% w/v); parabens (0.01-0.25% w/v) and thimerosal (0.004-0.02% w/v).

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention contain an effective amount of active agent and optionally therapeutic agents included in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. The term pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier means one or more compatible solid or liquid filler, diluents or encapsulating substances which are suitable for administration to a human or other vertebrate animal. The term carrier denotes an organic or inorganic ingredient, natural or synthetic, with which the active ingredient is combined to facilitate the application. The components of the pharmaceutical compositions also are capable of being commingled with the compounds of the present invention, and with each other, in a manner such that there is no interaction which would substantially impair the desired pharmaceutical efficiency.

In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition is a sterile preparation containing the active agent. The composition can be made sterile by any suitable means, including filter sterilization.

The therapeutic agent(s), including specifically but not limited to the active agent, may be provided in particles. Particles as used herein means nano or microparticles (or in some instances larger) which can consist in whole or in part of the active agent or the other therapeutic agent(s) as described herein. The particles may contain the therapeutic agent(s) in a core surrounded by a coating, including, but not limited to, an enteric coating. The therapeutic agent(s) also may be dispersed throughout the particles. The therapeutic agent(s) also may be adsorbed into the particles. The particles may be of any order release kinetics, including zero order release, first order release, second order release, delayed release, sustained release, immediate release, and any combination thereof, etc. The particle may include, in addition to the therapeutic agent(s), any of those materials routinely used in the art of pharmacy and medicine, including, but not limited to, erodible, nonerodible, biodegradable, or nonbiodegradable material or combinations thereof. The particles may be microcapsules which contain the active agent in a solution or in a semi-solid state. The particles may be of virtually any shape.

Both non-biodegradable and biodegradable polymeric materials can be used in the manufacture of particles for delivering the therapeutic agent(s). Such polymers may be natural or synthetic polymers. The polymer is selected based on the period of time over which release is desired. Bioadhesive polymers of particular interest include bioerodible hydrogels described by H. S. Sawhney, C. P. Pathak and J. A. Hubell in Macromolecules, (1993) 26:581-587, the teachings of which are incorporated herein. These include polyhyaluronic acids, casein, gelatin, glutin, polyanhydrides, polyacrylic acid, alginate, chitosan, poly(methyl methacrylates), poly(ethyl methacrylates), poly(butylmethacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate), poly(hexylmethacrylate), poly(isodecyl methacrylate), poly(lauryl methacrylate), poly(phenyl methacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(isopropyl acrylate), poly(isobutyl acrylate), and poly(octadecyl acrylate).

The therapeutic agent(s) may be contained in controlled release systems. The term “controlled release” is intended to refer to any drug-containing formulation in which the manner and profile of drug release from the formulation are controlled. This refers to immediate as well as non-immediate release formulations, with non-immediate release formulations including but not limited to sustained release and delayed release formulations. The term “sustained release” (also referred to as “extended release”) is used in its conventional sense to refer to a drug formulation that provides for gradual release of a drug over an extended period of time, and that preferably, although not necessarily, results in substantially constant blood levels of a drug over an extended time period. The term “delayed release” is used in its conventional sense to refer to a drug formulation in which there is a time delay between administration of the formulation and the release of the drug therefrom. “Delayed release” may or may not involve gradual release of drug over an extended period of time, and thus may or may not be “sustained release.”

Use of a long-term sustained release implant may be particularly suitable for treatment of chronic conditions. “Long-term” release, as used herein, means that the implant is constructed and arranged to deliver therapeutic levels of the active ingredient for at least 7 days, and preferably 30-60 days. Long-term sustained release implants are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art and include some of the release systems described above.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following Examples, which in no way should be construed as further limiting. The entire contents of all of the references (including literature references, issued patents, published patent applications, and co-pending patent applications) cited throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₆ is Y_(i) (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 1 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 33 nM, had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 1 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 83 59 49 64 48 50 61 diamine 150 56 47 45 64 48 49 dipamine 59 120 74 75 86 48 79 dimor 66 58 41 50 38 41 58 dipmor 100 58 52 42 41 43 40 dipip 69 41 36 57 39 50 33 dippip 90 46 39 43 58 43 37

Example 2 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₇ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 2 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 33 nM, had R₄=diamine and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 2 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 67 77 76 75 73 84 91 diamine 79 120 79 65 87 75 33 dipamine 68 67 170 90 81 65 110 dimor 65 79 82 83 68 66 36 dipmor 64 75 90 87 79 77 90 dipip 69 55 86 78 66 65 73 dippip 75 73 75 63 72 84 85

Example 3 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₈ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 3 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 51 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 3 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 530 460 120 330 440 410 160 diamine 100 98 78 66 88 83 82 dipamine 96 88 82 78 76 91 72 dimor 100 64 73 92 77 51 80 dipmor 79 70 77 120 130 69 66 dipip 94 75 68 77 78 110 76 dippip 65 67 55 79 60 71 72

Example 4 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 4 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 36 nM, had R₄=Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 4 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 80 90 130 100 110 81 37 diamine 54 100 71 110 220 43 49 dipamine 140 98 150 44 220 400 290 dimor 75 76 42 110 230 110 58 dipmor 110 180 130 67 210 110 37 dipip 70 50 64 110 150 36 54 dippip 68 89 370 230 200 180 430

Example 5 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 5 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 31 nM, had R₄=Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 5 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1200 930 580 1100 650 880 760 diamine 120 170 160 70 42 77 120 dipamine 150 600 140 220 250 130 210 dimor 250 130 97 110 72 110 140 dipmor 430 430 470 490 460 430 190 dipip 130 170 110 110 140 31 49 dippip 830 120 200 400 280 390 460

Example 6 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula III

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula III wherein R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 6 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 36 nM, had R₄=pip and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 6 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1200 63 42 770 120 63 36 diamine 630 100 53 180 230 110 50 dipamine 240 46 630 350 390 270 80 dimor 750 87 220 140 45 130 210 dipmor 320 63 82 1000 290 130 100 dipip 530 100 190 360 110 69 210 dippip 200 51 270 290 170 89 96

Example 7 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula IV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula IV wherein R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₆ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 7 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 37 nM, had R₄=Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 7 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 73 120 110 87 220 95 240 diamine 97 37 140 1000 140 320 600 dipamine 100 120 920 140 400 820 100 dimor 55 120 300 65 1300 89 760 dipmor 91 85 110 460 260 160 92 dipip 110 78 960 86 480 100 320 dippip 290 250 1200 260 210 220 220

Example 8 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula IV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula IV wherein R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₇ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 8 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 170 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 8 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1300 1200 1300 1300 510 1300 1300 diamine 560 1200 1300 1200 640 1300 400 dipamine 1100 1200 920 560 600 470 470 dimor 180 1100 540 860 420 1100 470 dipmor 690 830 460 380 310 300 500 dipip 200 520 370 660 980 1100 390 dippip 410 170 730 1200 500 1200 560

Example 9 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula IV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula IV wherein R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₈ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 9 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 340 nM, had R₄=dipmor and Y₂=dimor.

TABLE 9 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1300 1900 1900 1600 1600 1500 1600 diamine 1200 1600 350 1500 1300 1400 380 dipamine 810 560 1200 1300 1300 1200 1200 dimor 1200 1500 1200 1300 1200 1200 1200 dipmor 1200 1300 1500 340 1400 1300 1100 dipip 1200 1500 1300 1300 1200 1200 610 dippip 1100 1400 460 830 1200 780 1200

Example 10 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula IV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula IV wherein R₇ is hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 10 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 100 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=

TABLE 10 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1200 1600 620 1300 730 1400 490 diamine 730 480 990 1300 660 790 810 dipamine 750 1200 380 310 1300 240 950 dimor 1200 1200 1600 1200 1400 220 440 dipmor 330 700 1600 1300 1300 1400 1000 dipip 350 1200 880 1100 1100 320 330 dippip 100 1300 120 1200 170 1200 460

Example 11 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₆ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 11 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 38 nM, had R₄=diamine and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 11 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 56 56 52 58 93 72 72 diamine 42 42 58 50 45 42 38 dipamine 73 83 63 79 65 82 62 dimor 59 54 56 65 54 61 60 dipmor 88 62 50 71 65 69 69 dipip 43 40 65 65 60 52 56 dippip 75 77 85 73 52 88 64

Example 12 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₇ is Y_(i) (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 12 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 4.7 nM, had R₄=pip and Y₂=dipamine. Eleven additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 12 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 49 37 4.7 44 37 42 38 diamine 57 30 38 35 19 35 34 dipamine 87 29 5.6 28 29 39 65 dimor 54 37 41 36 39 34 26 dipmor 65 34 30 56 28 35 33 dipip 49 43 16 31 33 9.2 36 dippip 45 41 31 38 40 31 70

Example 13 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₈ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 13 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 110 nM, had R₄=dipamine and Y₂=pip.

TABLE 13 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 2000 580 2000 310 1900 140 570 diamine 160 750 970 1200 680 270 1100 dipamine 110 240 270 230 600 330 240 dimor 240 1000 670 370 880 1200 1300 dipmor 140 450 590 250 510 360 470 dipip 170 750 620 490 390 1100 400 dippip 140 520 440 270 510 390 350

Example 14 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 14 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 28 nM; one of these compounds had R₄=dimor and Y₂=dipamine, and the other compound had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dipamine.

TABLE 14 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 810 49 33 560 59 58 90 diamine 340 74 130 470 36 80 220 dipamine 850 160 130 230 1200 41 1200 dimor 79 130 28 120 85 160 94 dipmor 510 170 160 590 160 75 150 dipip 350 53 28 100 330 590 100 dippip 480 320 91 250 710 1500 330

Example 15 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₃, and R₇ are hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 15 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 2.4 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=dipmor. Two additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 15 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 87 91 90 78 89 78 83 diamine 210 110 360 750 1100 740 98 dipamine 110 110 100 140 110 130 100 dimor 270 740 940 800 900 210 1000 dipmor 130 98 120 250 130 120 120 dipip 330 310 400 640 580 230 500 dippip 80 100 84 3.1 2.4 3.6 130

Example 16 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 16 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 27 nM; one of these compounds had R₄=dippip and Y₂=dipmor, and the other of these compounds had R₄=Y₂=dippip. One additional compound in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ value less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 16 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 160 97 43 100 54 73 34 diamine 320 62 50 200 48 76 39 dipamine 210 70 73 170 96 240 63 dimor 800 210 64 94 680 75 150 dipmor 220 120 270 200 470 350 580 dipip 530 120 54 210 38 200 63 dippip 41 120 28 480 27 31 27

Example 17 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, R₁ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 17 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 31 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=pip.

TABLE 17 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 310 150 100 250 210 270 110 diamine 1200 1900 1400 2000 1900 1500 1900 dipamine 490 320 250 400 590 1400 280 dimor 400 2000 2000 2300 2100 2100 1300 dipmor 790 440 190 660 540 960 180 dipip 170 1500 1200 1400 1200 1600 140 dippip 78 350 150 480 440 510 480

Example 18 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula V

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula V wherein R₃ and R₇ are hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 18 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 28 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 18 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 170 510 820 1800 640 1100 940 diamine 120 120 150 160 120 130 150 dipamine 810 200 150 740 170 130 480 dimor 66 140 110 140 110 28 170 dipmor 830 330 390 410 580 460 390 dipip 100 110 110 180 200 130 130 dippip 970 570 220 190 270 440 340

Example 19 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₆ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 19 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 33 nM; one of these compounds had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dipmor, and the other compound had R₄=Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 19 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 110 76 53 61 64 38 64 diamine 62 41 45 36 36 35 35 dipamine 160 140 120 110 41 35 71 dimor 73 37 34 37 36 35 36 dipmor 150 38 40 71 75 50 59 dipip 79 35 35 34 33 33 35 dippip 75 40 43 55 38 94 37

Example 20 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₇ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 20 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 60 nM, had R₄=diamine and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 20 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 75 82 84 85 95 110 78 diamine 81 110 78 74 91 80 60 dipamine 89 120 120 86 120 83 79 dimor 69 78 81 88 92 68 90 dipmor 64 73 68 88 85 99 89 dipip 78 74 74 66 70 92 81 dippip 65 92 78 84 93 83 76

Example 21 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₈ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 21 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 37 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 21 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 630 110 320 260 370 290 170 diamine 88 130 55 69 100 87 81 dipamine 67 78 59 64 52 59 53 dimor 81 37 53 79 82 62 84 dipmor 140 51 60 79 59 85 70 dipip 89 52 73 55 72 54 68 dippip 73 54 52 52 63 60 61

Example 22 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 22 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 19 nM; one of these compounds had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dipamine, and the other compound had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dipamine. Three additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 22 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 50 23 27 36 39 55 43 diamine 46 55 76 86 210 42 150 dipamine 51 110 360 96 79 99 340 dimor 42 57 95 43 97 74 120 dipmor 80 54 100 320 80 82 150 dipip 45 19 19 46 220 93 81 dippip 54 87 230 27 4410 110 110

Example 23 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 23 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 41 nM, had R₄=dipmor and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 23 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 510 57 49 270 80 66 88 diamine 440 79 67 170 450 180 520 dipamine 290 110 190 930 500 150 460 dimor 300 120 74 69 200 69 640 dipmor 190 150 71 780 320 41 330 dipip 490 46 100 440 340 57 290 dippip 290 52 69 110 1100 660 670

Example 24 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VI wherein R₁, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 24 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 31 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 24 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 360 39 56 100 110 48 140 diamine 530 160 87 150 94 64 78 dipamine 540 60 150 180 910 96 330 dimor 440 32 75 150 150 68 130 dipmor 240 59 200 130 100 81 150 dipip 340 51 77 140 37 36 88 dippip 290 31 62 250 160 52 400

Example 25 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VII wherein R₁, R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₆ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 25 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 38 nM, had R₄=dipamine and Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 25 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 250 120 130 110 110 110 220 diamine 79 60 270 130 120 290 69 dipamine 160 38 240 170 650 400 580 dimor 78 130 99 88 100 160 1300 dipmor 350 250 670 150 250 57 100 dipip 110 120 66 130 130 110 77 dippip 150 190 150 140 120 100 130

Example 26 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VII wherein R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₇ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 26 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 22 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 26 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 2100 110 120 91 110 100 110 diamine 120 110 93 97 100 77 82 dipamine 410 120 210 130 110 91 95 dimor 98 94 90 74 98 120 22 dipmor 170 88 110 110 120 35 120 dipip 140 100 81 130 110 73 87 dippip 100 99 110 76 120 190 120

Example 27 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VII wherein R₁, R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen, and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 27 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 130 nM, had R₄=dipamine and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 27 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 1400 1200 1200 330 700 690 660 diamine 510 1300 240 390 310 820 160 dipamine 610 780 290 490 360 270 130 dimor 680 1700 220 220 230 180 280 dipmor 230 340 620 1300 230 280 710 dipip 410 350 220 350 240 200 220 dippip 410 320 820 630 210 420 180

Example 28 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VII wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 28 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 18 nM, had R₄=Y₂=dimor. Three additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 28 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 43 59 87 90 130 96 40 diamine 42 62 120 65 42 35 250 dipamine 71 93 140 140 75 130 110 dimor 36 37 120 18 280 190 85 dipmor 75 49 30 110 170 440 70 dipip 40 38 89 48 88 38 170 dippip 58 24 26 200 230 88 170

Example 29 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula VII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula VII wherein R₁, R₃, and R₇ are hydrogen, R₆ is Y₂, and R₈ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl). Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 29 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 95 nM, had R₄=dipamine and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 29 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 2000 1900 1100 1200 840 730 790 diamine 220 250 1000 300 210 280 390 dipamine 1500 210 920 1800 1600 95 610 dimor 400 180 900 320 370 240 780 dipmor 1600 1700 730 1000 1200 1400 580 dipip 470 290 250 520 380 170 210 dippip 200 440 1300 1700 920 1000 820

Example 30 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula X

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula X wherein R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and Y₁ is Ar—Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 30 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 29 nM, had R₄=pip and Y₂=dippip.

TABLE 30 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 66 39 48 33 42 65 29 diamine 64 78 58 36 58 95 180 dipamine 220 160 48 120 96 43 170 dimor 120 110 44 120 62 54 45 dipmor 180 53 340 46 350 190 54 dipip 110 100 100 61 32 67 72 dippip 51 170 160 110 80 66 190

Example 31 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XI wherein R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen, and Y₁ is Ar—Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 31 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 0.82 nM, had R₄=dipip and Y₂=dimor. Forty-two additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 31 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 4.6 1.7 6.6 3.2 2.4 2.8 4.5 diamine 18 2.8 4.5 0.89 1.8 2.7 25 dipamine 8.8 3.1 4.6 1.5 2.1 2.6 27 dimor 34 3.1 1.6 1.1 34 1.9 4.3 dipmor 35 1.5 29 2.5 32 2.7 1.9 dipip 47 11 1.5 0.82 1.6 2.3 7.3 dippip 90 1.1 2.9 1.1 9.5 14 12

Example 32 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XIV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XIV wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 32 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 49 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=dipip. One additional compound in this set of data had a predicted IC₅₀ value less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 32 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 86 51 53 48 53 51 55 diamine 350 150 230 1100 88 110 360 dipamine 100 36 140 93 98 38 170 dimor 570 170 130 490 160 260 97 dipmor 94 35 260 110 470 170 120 dipip 160 240 93 280 200 120 290 dippip 140 6.8 66 190 70 2 35

Example 33 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XIV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XIV wherein R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen and R₈ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 33 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 44 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=pip.

TABLE 33 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 260 300 110 180 100 600 150 diamine 280 680 330 89 320 150 46 dipamine 46 1000 580 200 390 230 93 dimor 44 1400 120 1300 160 970 390 dipmor 580 460 1100 810 620 1000 310 dipip 370 220 120 310 130 56 190 dippip 72 95 740 1100 950 63 160

Example 34 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XV wherein R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 34 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 39 nM, had R₄ dipmor and Y₂=diamine.

TABLE 34 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 89 43 71 40 46 39 54 diamine 200 1500 54 1300 140 1300 550 dipamine 79 40 62 85 130 66 370 dimor 190 1200 110 1200 53 740 250 dipmor 85 39 71 42 150 240 95 dipip 190 330 150 1400 370 150 69 dippip 88 49 95 54 52 49 42

Example 35 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XV wherein R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen and R₈ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 35 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 49 nM, had R₄=dipamine and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 35 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 240 780 120 570 120 520 150 diamine 230 290 150 1100 140 500 110 dipamine 510 250 370 500 730 49 710 dimor 58 1400 230 520 230 1400 590 dipmor 750 1000 740 520 1200 1500 870 dipip 410 1300 110 57 130 1200 550 dippip 650 160 480 1300 400 1400 1200

Example 36 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XVI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XVI wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 36 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 62 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=dipamine.

TABLE 36 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 97 210 110 1400 500 280 220 diamine 290 75 84 170 520 73 240 dipamine 310 240 110 210 140 110 280 dimor 230 74 100 170 290 87 73 dipmor 130 200 93 170 400 77 170 dipip 120 180 79 160 300 270 240 dippip 140 140 62 200 240 80 250

Example 37 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XVI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XVI wherein R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen and R₈ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 37 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 50 nM, had R₄=diamine and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 37 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 480 440 1400 1300 1200 380 1200 diamine 210 270 600 350 720 50 870 dipamine 340 710 400 130 310 350 740 dimor 1200 820 1400 1000 1300 340 1100 dipmor 1500 420 1200 590 1500 880 1300 dipip 220 550 970 860 1500 1200 1200 dippip 150 390 120 170 1500 96 1300

Example 38 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XVII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XVII wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 38 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 22 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=dipip.

TABLE 38 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 44 39 59 39 80 38 110 diamine 81 160 94 170 180 240 120 dipamine 81 160 130 53 56 99 180 dimor 89 240 310 300 200 310 160 dipmor 75 31 61 61 280 85 270 dipip 170 240 120 500 240 200 230 dippip 60 41 72 55 35 22 31

Example 39 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XX

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XX wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 39 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 16 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=pip. Five additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 39 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 42 31 30 32 57 35 55 diamine 40 57 130 50 62 80 100 dipamine 14 56 72 30 190 41 180 dimor 17 42 140 64 100 85 79 dipmor 47 44 130 32 110 73 110 dipip 17 42 77 72 87 68 100 dippip 16 55 140 66 53 96 130

Example 40 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXI wherein R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 40 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 9.4 nM, had R₄=dipmor and Y₂=pip. Five additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 40 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 55 35 61 33 48 42 71 diamine 25 62 49 39 98 68 42 dipamine 15 70 62 61 53 63 51 dimor 18 55 120 64 100 69 120 dipmor 9.4 58 63 63 150 54 75 dipip 24 44 120 72 110 32 110 dippip 17 71 54 57 83 67 150

Example 41 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXI wherein R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 41 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 8.7 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=pip. Two additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 41 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 360 71 87 83 80 77 69 diamine 68 60 59 45 53 39 65 dipamine 40 40 180 67 89 48 120 dimor 78 62 84 50 76 50 64 dipmor 12 29 73 57 60 32 66 dipip 43 34 69 62 56 61 76 dippip 8.7 56 47 55 73 70 72

Example 42 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXII wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 42 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 36 nM, had R₄=dipip and Y₂=pip.

TABLE 42 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 46 61 75 4 620 50 120 diamine 41 62 57 120 170 250 63 dipamine 55 84 280 300 1300 190 1500 dimor 53 80 330 53 59 92 81 dipmor 49 130 86 780 1000 360 1100 dipip 36 80 56 850 100 170 240 dippip 44 61 180 100 610 120 440

Example 43 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXII wherein R₃, R₆, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₇ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 43 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 26 nM, had R₄=dimor and Y₂=dipmor. Two additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 43 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 280 540 230 1200 1200 1200 1600 diamine 78 42 48 130 720 86 77 dipamine 57 40 110 200 140 69 58 dimor 91 61 150 220 26 74 770 dipmor 59 48 64 470 730 76 730 dipip 110 41 40 76 280 71 76 dippip 39 180 240 930 290 76 190

Example 44 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXIII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXIII wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₂. Substitutions for R₄ and Y₂ were made as shown in Table 44 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 9.7 nM, had R₄=dippip and Y₂=pip. Five additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 44 Y₂ pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₄ pip 98 54 75 45 68 56 67 diamine 36 55 57 42 68 61 200 dipamine 16 69 110 55 260 87 250 dimor 25 52 49 72 48 70 99 dipmor 16 51 83 74 99 73 22 dipip 23 37 76 100 94 45 94 dippip 9.7 72 73 120 110 50 110

Example 45 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXX

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXX wherein each of R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen, and each of Q_(p) and Q_(o) is Y₂. Substitutions for Q_(p) and Q_(o) were made as shown in Table 45 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 2.9 nM, had Q_(p)=dipip and Q_(o)=pip. Eighteen additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 45 Q_(p) pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip Q_(o) pip 26 17 5.3 8.3 4.6 2.9 14 diamine 26 45 41 33 50 19 42 dipamine 31 24 40 40 44 52 52 dimor 608 5.3 22 13 23 38 40 dipmor 30 36 67 53 45 42 49 dipip 34 36 6.9 45 43 6.5 42 dippip 38 6 55 52 84 13 5.9

Example 46 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXI wherein each of R₃, R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen; and each of R₆ and Q is Y₂. Substitutions for R₆ and Q were made as shown in Table 46 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 32 nM; one of these compounds had Q=dipmor and R₆=dippip, and the other had Q=dipip and R₆=diamine.

TABLE 46 Q pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₆ pip 67 41 50 43 50 40 72 diamine 67 48 41 49 38 32 38 dipamine 73 35 47 49 60 38 38 dimor 57 38 55 39 46 35 38 dipmor 68 37 60 46 44 36 40 dipip 59 34 45 46 50 35 45 dippip 57 35 36 44 32 36 33

Example 47 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXII wherein each of R₁₅, R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₃ is hydrogen, and each of Q_(p) and Q_(o) is Y₂. Substitutions for Q_(p) and Q_(o) were made as shown in Table 47 below. In this set of data two compounds shared the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 1.5 nM; one of these compounds had Q_(p)=dipamine and Q_(o)=pip, and the other compound had Q₁=dipip and Q₂=pip. Thirty-four additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 47 Q_(p) pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip Q_(o) pip 13 8.8 1.5 5.9 2.3 1.5 4.5 diamine 2 8.8 1.9 40 43 18 45 dipamine 38 35 9.5 48 51 17 57 dimor 11 2.9 25 26 2.3 6.2 40 dipmor 17 9.3 11 46 13 17 53 dipip 13 7.9 4.3 7.9 13 48 2.7 dippip 14 16 13 16 66 12 18

Example 48 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXIII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXIII wherein each of R₁₅, R₅, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen; and each of R₆ and Q is Y₂. Substitutions for R₆ and Q were made as shown in Table 48 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 33 nM, had Q=R₆=dippip.

TABLE 48 Q pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₆ pip 83 70 57 53 62 53 160 diamine 56 35 75 40 46 41 49 dipamine 65 40 46 45 37 49 44 dimor 59 47 52 53 50 44 43 dipmor 64 51 56 48 45 40 40 dipip 60 41 59 44 46 36 45 dippip 61 49 54 47 53 40 33

Example 49 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXIV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXIV wherein each of R₁, R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen, and each of Q_(p) and Q_(o) is Y₂. Substitutions for Q_(p) and Q_(o) were made as shown in Table 49 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 26 nM, had Q_(p)=Q_(o)=pip.

TABLE 49 Q_(p) pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip Q_(o) pip 26 40 180 86 480 63 55 diamine 240 82 110 1200 180 75 40 dipamine 100 35 300 1100 340 77 330 dimor 43 57 490 1200 1200 100 48 dipmor 61 33 150 210 1200 1200 1100 dipip 42 51 54 80 33 93 740 dippip 54 140 180 1400 120 140 340

Example 50 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXV

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXV wherein each of R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen; and each of R₆ and Q is Y₂. Substitutions for R₆ and Q were made as shown in Table 50 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 31 nM, had Q=dimor and R₆=dippip.

TABLE 50 Q pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₆ pip 1200 1200 400 530 220 470 150 diamine 1200 1200 500 1200 1200 1100 1300 dipamine 1300 420 620 1100 1300 720 310 dimor 1200 1200 250 1200 250 1200 700 dipmor 1200 460 590 460 470 1200 200 dipip 1300 1200 1300 1200 430 1100 430 dippip 38 330 35 31 36 38 34

Example 51 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXVI

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXVI wherein each of R₃, R₁₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen, and each of Q_(p) and Q_(o) is Y₂. Substitutions for Q_(p) and Q_(o) were made as shown in Table 51 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 1.5 nM, had Q_(p)=dipamine and Q_(o)=pip. Thirty-five additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 51 Q_(p) pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip Q_(o) pip 16 9.1 1.5 6.6 8.6 34 2.9 diamine 25 18 27 4.5 11 26 34 dipamine 40 9.7 22 6.3 33 39 33 dimor 22 12 2.9 32 27 31 32 dipmor 48 8.4 15 18 44 30 28 dipip 18 5.4 7.3 30 22 26 15 dippip 33 28 4 28 29 28 33

Example 52 Predicted Activities for Compounds of Formula XXXVII

Based on computer modeling, IC₅₀ values (nM) were predicted in respect of TLR9 activity for compounds according to Formula XXXVII wherein each of R₃, R₁₅, R₇, and R₈ is hydrogen; and each of R₆ and Q is Y₂. Substitutions for R₆ and Q were made as shown in Table 52 below. In this set of data the compound with the lowest predicted IC₅₀, 26 nM, had Q=dimor and R₆=dippip. Seventeen additional compounds in this set of data had predicted IC₅₀ values less than or equal to 30 nM.

TABLE 52 Q pip diamine dipamine dimor dipmor dipip dippip R₆ pip 72 29 39 28 31 28 39 diamine 65 32 35 27 36 28 34 dipamine 58 33 31 27 64 30 31 dimor 36 28 37 27 34 31 38 dipmor 38 28 31 27 35 27 35 dipip 36 28 38 27 43 27 43 dippip 55 30 33 26 35 27 33

Example 53 Synthesis of Compound #401-92 Step 1 Preparation of 5-bromoanthranilamide

To a stirred slurry of 5-bromoisatoic anhydride (10 gm, 4.13×10⁻² moles; Aldrich Chemical, product number 477702) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF; 50 mL) was added concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution (20 mL). The anhydride quickly dissolved forming a clear solution. After about 2 minutes a biphasic mixture had formed. This was stirred for 1 hour and was then kept at room temperature overnight. The THF was evaporated under vacuum to give a thick slurry. Water (20 mL) was added and the solid product was isolated by filtration. The anthranilamide was washed with water and dried at 80° C. to provide 6.3 gm (70.9%) of the product as a white solid. Thin layer chromatography (TLC; silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) showed only the product spot.

Step 2 Preparation of 6-bromo-2-phenylquinazolin-4-one

A mixture of 5-bromoanthranilamide (7.5 gm, 3.49×10⁻² moles), benzaldehyde (3.7 gm, 3.49×10⁻² moles), sodium metabisulfite (4.98 gm, 2.62×10⁻² moles), and water (0.5 mL) in dimethylacetamide (50 mL) was stirred at 150° C. for 2 hours. The slurry was cooled to 50° C. and water (200 mL) was added. This slurry was stirred for 10 minutes and was then filtered to isolate the product. The solid was washed well on the filter with water. While still damp, the solid product was recrystallized from dimethylformamide to give the quinazolinone as an off white solid in a yield of 4.45 gm (42.3%).

Step 3 Preparation of 6-bromo-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-phenylquinazoline

A slurry of 6-bromo-2-phenylquinazolin-4-one (4.44 gm, 1.47×10⁻² moles) was stirred and heated in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (40 mL) to 130° C. Phosphorus oxychloride (4.52 gm, 2.95×10⁻² moles) was added to the stirred, hot mixture over a 5 minute period. The mixture was stirred at 130° C. until a clear orange solution formed and then for an additional 30 minutes. The total reaction time was 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature the reaction solution was diluted with tert-butylmethyl ether (200 mL) and the solution was shaken in a separatory funnel with water (200 mL). The aqueous phase (pH=2.0) was discarded and the organic solution was washed with a solution of sodium hydroxide (5.88 gm, 0.147 moles) in water (200 mL). The tert-butylmethyl ether was stripped under vacuum to give a slurry of 6-bromo-4-chloro-2-phenylquinazoline in 1,2-dichlorobenzene.

This slurry was diluted with n-butanol (40 mL) and N-methylpiperazine (4.4 gm, 4.4×10⁻² moles) was added. This mixture was heated to reflux which caused the formation of a clear yellow solution. The solution was kept at reflux for 30 minutes at which point TLC (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) showed that all of the starting material had been consumed with the formation of a single product. The solution was cooled to room temperature and was diluted with tert-butylmethyl ether (200 mL). This solution was extracted once with 10% hydrochloric acid (150 mL). These acidic extracts were stirred and made basic by the addition of 10% sodium hydroxide. The precipitated product was extracted into methylene chloride (200 mL). Methylene chloride was evaporated under vacuum to provide the product as an oil in a crude yield of 5.2 gm (92%). The oil was dissolved in hexane (25 mL) and with scratching, the product crystallized. The solid was isolated by filtration, washed with hexane and dried to give 2.5 gm (44.4%) of purified 6-bromo-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-phenylquinazoline as an off white solid.

Step 4 Preparation of 6-N-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-4-[4-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-2-phenylquinazoline

A mixture of 6-bromo-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-phenylquinazoline (1.0 gm, 2.6×10⁻³ moles), tris-dibenzylideneacetone dipalladium(0) (23.8 mg, 2.6×10⁻⁵ moles), racemic 2,2′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene (+/−Binap; 48.6 mg, 7.8×10⁻⁵ moles), sodium t-butoxide (350 mg, 3.6×10⁻³ moles) and toluene (5 mL) was stirred as argon was passed through. The flask was sealed with a septum and 2-morpholinoethylamine (406 mg, 3.12×10⁻³ moles) dissolved in toluene was added by syringe. The reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 2 hours. TLC of an aliquot (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) showed complete conversion of the starting quinazoline to a single new product. The mixture was cooled and diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL). This was washed with water (100 mL) and then extracted with 10% hydrochloric acid (2×25 mL). The combined extracts were washed once with ethyl acetate (25 mL) and were then made basic by the addition of 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The product that separated from the basified mixture was extracted into methylene chloride (2×25 mL). The combined extracts were evaporated to give 6-N-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]-4-[4-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-2-phenylquinazoline as a pale yellow solid in a yield of 1.02 gm (90.7%).

Example 54 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula III

Compounds of class A3I represent compounds of Formula III wherein R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₃ is Y₁ (Ar—Y₂), as defined herein.

Compounds of the A3I class are synthesized in the following manner. 2-Aminoacetophenone and 4-bromobenzaldehyde are condensed in the presence of alkali to provide 2-amino-4′-bromochalcone. The chalcone is cyclized to the dihydroquinolone in the presence of phosphoric acid and subsequently acetylated with acetic anhydride as described by Donnelley and Farrell. Donnelly J A et al. (1990) J Org Chem 55:1757-61. This dihydroquinolone is oxidized and rearranged in the presence of thallium salts and perchloric acid to the 3-aryl-4-quinolone as described by Singh and Kapil. Singh O V et al. (1992) SYNLETT 751-2. Conversion to the 4-chloroquinoline is achieved by the usual method using phosphorus oxychloride. Displacement of the chlorine in the 4 position of the quinoline with a primary or secondary alkyl amine provides the 3-(4-bromophenyl)-4-alkylaminoquinoline which is converted to the A3I using the Buchwald amination procedure. Buchwald S L et al. (2004) Org Syn Coll. Vol. 10:423.

Example 55 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula III

Compounds of class AbI represent compounds of Formula III wherein R₄ and R₈ are hydrogen, R₃ is Y₃ (unsubstituted phenyl), and R₇ is Y₂, as defined herein.

Compounds of the form AbI are synthesized using the methods described in the synthesis of compounds of form A3I (Example 54). In the case of the AbI compounds, the starting 2-amino-4-bromo is prepared from the commercially available 2-nitro-4-bromobenzoic acid by acylation of diethylmalonate followed by hydrolysis and decarboxylation to 2-nitro-4-bromoacetophenone (Reynolds G A et al. (1963) Org Syn Coll. Vol. 4:708) and subsequent reduction to 2-amino-4-bromoacetophenone. In the case of the AbI compounds the bromine on the quinoline ring is displaced with an amine using Buchwald amination as described earlier.

Example 56 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XV

Compounds of class CII represent compounds of Formula XV wherein R₇ and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃, as defined herein.

CII compounds are made by conversion of 5-bromoisatoic anhydride to 5-bromoanthranilamide in the presence of ammonium hydroxide. Condensation with diethyl malonate provides the 2,4-dihydroxy-6-bromoquinazoline. Suzuki coupling (Goodson F E et. al. (2004) Org Syn Coll. Vol. 10:501) is used to synthesize 2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenylquinazoline which is converted to the dichloroquinazoline through the use of phosphorus oxychloride. Sequential displacement of the chlorine in the 4-position of the quinazoline followed by displacement of the chlorine in the 2-position by the same or different amines provides the CII compounds.

Example 57 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XI

Compounds of class BIV represent compounds of Formula XI wherein R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and Y₁ is Ar—Y₂, as defined herein.

BIV compounds are prepared by condensation of 3-aminopicolinic acid, via its methyl ester, with 4-bromoacetophenone to give 2-(4-bromophenyl)-4-hydroxynaphthyridine. Conversion to the 4-chloro naphthyridine and displacement of the chlorine first, followed by the bromine are achieved by methods described above.

Example 58 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XXI

Compounds of class DbII represent compounds of Formula XXI wherein R₆ and R₈ are hydrogen and R₇ is Y₂, as defined herein.

The starting point for the synthesis of the DbII compounds is 2-nitro-4-bromobenzoic acid. This is converted to 4-bromoanthranilamide by forming the acid chloride and aminating this with ammonium hydroxide. Condensation with benzaldehyde in the presence of sodium bisulfite (Imai Y et al. (1981) Synthesis 1:35) gives 2-phenyl-4-hydroxy-7-bromoquinazoline. Formation of the DbII compounds involves the conversion of the 4-hydroxyquinazoline to the 4-chloroquinazoline followed by displacement of the chlorine and then the bromine with amines by the methods described earlier.

Example 59 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XX

Compounds of class DI represent compounds of Formula XX wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₂, as defined herein.

The synthesis of DI compounds starts with 5-bromoisatoic anhydride. This is converted to methyl-5-bromoanthranilate by reaction with methanol. Condensation with acetophenone provides 2-phenyl-4-hydroxy-6-bromoquinoline. This is converted to the 4-chloroquinoline by reaction with phosphorus oxychloride. Displacement of the chlorine and then the bromine with amines by the methods described earlier provide the DI compounds

Example 60 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XIV

Compounds of class CI represent compounds of Formula XIV wherein R₃, R₇, and R₈ are hydrogen and R₆ is Y₃, as defined herein.

Condensation of 4-aminobiphenyl with diethyl malonate in polyphosphoric acid is used to synthesize 2,4-dihydroxy-6-phenylquinoline. This is converted to the 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylquinoline by reaction with phosphorus oxychloride. Sequential displacement of the chlorine in the 2-position of the quinoline followed by displacement of the chlorine in the 4-position by the same or different amines (Lister T et al (2003) Australian Journal of Chemistry 56(9):913-6) provides the CI compounds.

Example 61 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XIV

Compounds of class CaI represent compounds of Formula XIV wherein R₃, R₆, and R₇ are hydrogen and R₈ is Y₃, as defined herein.

2-bromoaniline is converted into 2,4-dihydroxy-8-bromoquinoline and subsequently into the CaI compounds by methods described earlier.

Example 62 Synthesis of Compounds of Formula XV

Compounds of class A3I represent compounds of Formula XV wherein R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen and R₈ is Y₃, as defined herein.

3-bromoanthranilic acid is converted to 3-phenylanthranilic acid by Suzuki coupling procedures described above. The 3-phenylanthranilic acid is used to prepare the isatoic anhydride by reaction with a phosgene equivalent. Ring opening with ammonium hydroxide provides the anthranilamide which is converted to the dihydroxyquinazoline by the methods described earlier. Conversion to the dichloroquinazoline followed by sequential displacement of the chlorine in the 4-position of the quinazoline and displacement of the chlorine in the 2-position by the same or different amines provides the CaII compounds.

Example 63 In Vitro Testing

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) buffy coat preparations from healthy male and female human donors were obtained from the Institute for Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine of the University of Düsseldorf (Germany).

PBMC were purified by centrifugation over Ficoll-Hypaque (Sigma). Purified PBMC were washed twice with 1×PBS and resuspended in RPMI 1640 culture medium supplemented with 5% (v/v) heat-inactivated human AB serum (BioWhittaker, Belgium) or 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS), 1.5 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 mg/ml streptomycin (all from Sigma, Deisenhofen, Germany).

Freshly isolated PBMC were resuspended at a concentration of 3×10⁶/ml to 5×10⁶/ml with RPMI 1640 culture medium and added to 96-well round-bottomed plates (150 μl/well) which had previously received nothing or selected concentrations (typically 10 μM-0.085 nM as 7-fold serial dilutions) of small molecule. To assay antagonist reaction for TLR9, 1 μM CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 (TCGTCGTTTTCGGCGCGCGCCG; SEQ ID NO:3) was added to wells containing small molecules. To assay antagonist reaction for TLR7 and TLR8, 0.5 μM oligoribonucleotide (ORN) R-1362 (UUGUUGUUGUUGUUGUUGUU; SEQ ID NO:4) complexed to 5 μg/ml DOTAP was added to wells containing small molecules. To calculate response to CpG ODN 2395 alone or ORN R-1362+DOTAP alone, wells without small molecules were stimulated with CpG ODN 2395 or ORN R-1362+DOTAP.

Cells were cultured in a humidified incubator at 37° C. for 16 h. Culture supernatants were then collected and, if not used immediately, frozen at −20° C. until required.

Amounts of cytokines in the supernatants were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) specific for IFN-α or TNF-α using commercially available antibodies or kits from BD Pharmingen or Diaclone, respectively. IFN-α readout using CpG 2395 was used to measure TLR9 response. IFN-α readout using ORN R-1362+DOTAP was used to measure TLR7 response. TNF-α release using R-1362 complexed to DOTAP was used to measure TLR8-mediated immune response.

Example 64 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 4

Synthesis of 2:

A solution of p-bromophenethyl alcohol (2.23 g, 11.5 mmol) in dichloromethane (DCM) (20 mL) was treated with Dess-Martin reagent (6.5 g) at room temperature. After stirring at room temperature overnight, the solution was diluted with DCM (100 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO₃, dried (Na₂SO₄), and purified by column chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=20:80) to provide the aldehyde 2 (1.0 g, 43%).

Synthesis of 3:

A mixture of the aldehyde 2 (1.0 g, 5 mmol) with methylanthranilate (1.03 g, 6.8 mmol) in toluene (1 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. To the formed solid was added additional toluene (6 mL) and ethyl acetate(EtOAc) (5 mL), which was filtered, washed with hexane, and dried under vacuum to provide the imine (700 mg).

To a stirred solution of the imine (700 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) (10 mL) was added potassium hexamethyldisilazide (KHMDS) (6.6 mL of 0.5M/toluene, 3.3 mmol) at −78° C. The resulting dark solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 h. To the solution was added H₂O (10 mL) and the solvents were removed under vacuum. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography to provide 3 (120 mg, ˜8%).

Synthesis of 4:

A mixture of 3 (114 mg, 0.4 mmol) with POCl₃ (2 mL) was heated at 100° C. for 4 h. After pouring into ice/H₂O (10 mL), the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (20 mL) followed by EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), passed through a short pad of SiO₂, and concentrated to provide 4 (142 mg, 100%) as a brown solid. Without further purification this solid 4 was used for the next reaction.

Synthesis of 5:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 4 (142 mg, 0.4 mmol), followed by N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) (3 mL), 2-morpholinoethanamine (160 mg), and diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) (200 μL). The resulting solution was heated at 160° C. for 24 h. After concentration, the resulting residue was diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated to give a brown solid, which was purified by flash chromatography (hexane:EtOAc=50:50 to 0:100) to provide crude product 5 which was used for the next reaction.

Synthesis of 6 (A3I):

To a screw-capped vial was placed above 5, followed by toluene (3 mL), KO-t-Bu (110 mg), tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) [Pd₂(dba)₃] (34 mg), and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl (22 mg), and N-methylpiperazine (124 μL). The suspension was flushed again with N₂, capped, and the resulting suspension was heated at 100° C. for 2 days. The solution was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL). Organic extract was dried (Na₂SO₄) and purified by preparative TLC (DCM:MeOH=80:20) to provide 6. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 400 MHz) δ 2.25 (br, 4H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.39 (t, 2H), 2.63 (t, 4H), 3.26 (m, overlapped with solvent, 4H+2H), 3.49 (t, 4H), 7.10 (d, 2H), 7.35 (d, 2H), 7.51 (t, 1H), 7.66 (t, 1H), 7.84 (d, 1H), 8.20 (d, 1H), 8.27 (s, 1H); LC/MS ES+432 (M+1), >95% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of 6 (A3I):

Compound 6 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula III with R₆, R₇ and R₈=H; R₃=Y₁ (Ar—Y₂), Y₂=pip; R₄=dimor. See Example 4, Table 4, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 720 110 73 Calculated 75

Example 65 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 6

Synthesis of 3:

A mixture of 1 (2.3 g, 10 mmol) with phenylacetaldehyde (2.3 mL, 20 mmol) was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The solid which formed was filtered, washed with hexane, and dried to provide 2. Without further purification the product was used for the next reaction.

To a stirred solution of above 2 in THF (30 mL) was added lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) (5.5 mL of 2M/heptane/THF/ethylbenzene, 11 mmol) at −78° C. The resulting dark solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 h. To the solution was added H₂O (10 mL) and the organic layer was removed. The resulting residue was purified by column chromatography to provide 3 (540 mg, 26%) as a solid.

Synthesis of 4:

Above 3 (540 mg, 1.8 mmol) with POCl₃ (5 mL) was heated at reflux overnight. After pouring into ice/H₂O (10 mL), the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (20 mL) followed by EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), passed through a short pad of SiO₂, and concentrated to provide 4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=10:90) to provide 4 (270 mg, 47%) as a solid.

Synthesis of 5:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 4 (270 mg, 0.85 mmol), followed by NMP (1 mL), 2-morpholinoethanamine (500 mg), and diisopropylethylamine (200 μL). The resulting solution was heated at 170° C. for 18 h. After concentration, the resulting residue was diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated to give a brown solid, which was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=80:20 to 100:0) to provide 5 (173 mg, 49%) as a solid.

Synthesis of 6 (AbI):

To a screw-capped vial was placed above 5 (82 mg, 0.2 mmol), followed by toluene (3 mL), KO-t-Bu (34 mg, 0.3 mmol), Pd(OAc)₂ (3 mg), N-methylpiperazine (20 mg, 0.2 mmol) and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl (6 mg). After heating at 100° C. for 2 h, the solution was subjected to purification by column chromatography (MeOH:DCM=20:80) to give 6 (22 mg, 26%). A second batch was carried out to obtained additional 6 (˜20 mg). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 400 MHz) δ 2.25 (br, 4H), 2.38 (br, 2H+3H), 2.68 (br, 4H), 3.09 (t, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 3.36 (br, 4H), 3.49 (br, 4H), 7.3-7.6 (set of m, 7H), 7.77 (d, 1H, J=8.8 Hz), 8.12 (s, 1H); ES+334 (M+1), >95% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of 6 (AbI):

Compound 6 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula III with R₆ and R₈=H; R₃=Y₃=phenyl; R₇=Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 6, Table 6, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 180 160 160 Calculated 750

Example 66 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 31

Synthesis of 2:

A mixture of 1 (2.0 g, 14 mmol) in concentrated H₂SO₄ (a few drops) in MeOH (5 mL) was heated at reflux overnight. After concentration the residue was taken up into EtOAc, washed with saturated NaHCO₃, H₂O, and dried (Na₂SO₄) to provide 2 (400 mg, 20%) as a yellow solid.

Synthesis of 3:

To a stirred solution of NaO-t-Bu (253 mg, 2.6 mmol) in dry THF (5 mL) was added 4-bromoacetophenone (131 mg, 0.66 mmol) at 0° C. under N₂. To this solution was added 2 (100 mg, 0.66 mmol) at the same temperature. The reaction was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. After addition of H₂O (1 mL), the solution was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL). The organic extract was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to give a dark brown semi-solid, which was subjected to purification by preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) (CHCl₃:MeOH=90:10 with 1% of NH₄OH) to obtain 3 (30 mg, 15%) as a pale yellow film. A mass of 301(mass+1) was determined for this compound by liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy. [LC/MS 301(M+1)]

Synthesis of 4:

A mixture of 3 (22 mg, 0.07 mmol) with POCl₃ (1.5 mL) and 2,6-lutidine (0.7 mL) was heated at 90° C. for 16 h. After pouring into ice/H₂O (10 mL), the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (20 mL) followed by EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), passed through a short pad of SiO₂, and concentrated to provide 4 (25 mg) which was used for the next reaction.

Synthesis of 5:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 4 (25 mg, 0.07 mmol), followed by NMP (2 mL), 2-morpholinoethanamine (30 mg). Resulting solution was heated at 170° C. for 16 h. After dilution with EtOAc, the solution was washed with brine (3×), dried (Na₂SO₄) to obtain 5 (18 mg, 64%), after purification by column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol). The compound 5 was used for the next reaction.

Synthesis of 6 (BIV):

To a screw-capped vial was placed above 5 (17 mg, 0.05 mmol), followed by toluene (2 mL), NaO-t-Bu (15 mg), Pd₂(dba)₃ (14 mg), and 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl (9 mg), and N-methylpiperazine (17 μL). The reaction was heated at 100° C. for 4 h. After dilution with EtOAc (3 mL) and 10% HCl/H₂O (1.5 mL/1.5 mL), the aqueous phase was separated, neutralized by 2N NaOH, and extracted with EtOAc (2×), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. The residue was then recrystallized with CHCl₃ and hexane to provide 6 (11.4 mg, 52%) as a yellow solid. LC/MS ES+433 (M+1), >95% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of 6 (BIV):

Compound 6 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XI with R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈=H; Y₁=Ar—Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 31, Table 31, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 70 100 44 Calculated 34

Example 67 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 32

Synthesis of 2:

A mixture of 1 (3.4 g, 23.7 mmol) in dimethylmalonate (16 mL) was heated at refluxed (ca 150-165° C.) for 20 h. After concentration, the dark residue was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=25:75 to 40:60) to provide 2 (4.5 g, 80%).

Synthesis of 3 and 4:

To a stirred solution of 2 (3.3 g, 12.3 mmol) in chlorobenzene (50 mL) was added portion wise AlCl₃ (4.9 g, 36 mmol) at 0° C. under a N₂ atmosphere. The resulting solution was heated at 120° C. for 3 h. The dark solution was slowly poured into ice/H₂O to provide a precipitate. The solid was collected by filtration, washed with water, and dried to provide 3.

Without further purification, the product was used for the next reaction.

To the above solid was added POCl₃ (15 mL) at room temperature. The resulting solution was heated at reflux for 3 h. The reaction was poured into ice/H₂O, and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄) and purified by flash chromatography (DCM:hexane=5:95) to obtain 4 (310 mg, 9.2%) as a solid.

Synthesis of 5:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 4 (220 mg, 0.8 mmol), followed by N-methylpyrrolidinone (1.5 mL), 2-morpholinoethanamine (160 mg), and diisopropylethylamine (300 μL). The resulting solution was heated at 100° C. for 16 h. After dilution with EtOAc, the solution was washed with brine (3×) and dried (Na₂SO₄) to provide 5 (262 mg, 63%) after purification by flash chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=80:20 to MeOH:EtOAc=5:95).

Synthesis of 6 (CI):

To a screw-capped vial was placed 5 (112 mg, 0.3 mmol), followed by N-methylpiperazine (2 mL). The resulting solution was heated at 150° C. for 18 h. After dilution with EtOAc, the solution was washed with brine (2×) and dried (Na₂SO₄) to provide 6 (48 mg for first crop and 68 mg; second crop, total 87%) after recrystallization with EtOAc/hexane. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.53 (brm, 8H), 2.78 (t, 2H), 3.32 (dd, 2H), 3.73 (br, 8H), 5.74 (br, 1H), 5.93 (s, 1H), 7.32 (t, 1H), 7.44 (t, 2H), 7.72 (set of m, 5H). LC/MS m/e 432 (M+1).

In Vitro Characterization of 6 (CI):

Compound 6 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XIV with R₃, R₇, and R₈=H; R₆=Y₃=phenyl; Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 32, Table 32, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 200 600 200 Calculated 570

Example 68 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 33

Synthesis of 3 and 4:

To a stirred solution of 2 (8.3 g, 31 mmol), which was prepared by the same procedure as described before (Synthesis of CI), in chlorobenzene (80 mL) was added portionwise AlCl₃ (12.3 g, 93 mmol) at 0° C. under a N₂ atmosphere. The resulting solution was heated at 110-120° C. for 4 h. The dark solution was slowly poured into ice/H₂O with vigorous stirring. The resulting solution was extracted with chloroform (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). After concentration, the gummy residue was triturated with EtOAc to afford 3 as a pink powder, which was washed with EtOAc and hexane. Without further purification, the product 3 was used for the next reaction.

To the above 3 was added POCl₃ (30 mL) at room temperature. The resulting solution was heated at 80° C. for 4 h. The reaction was poured into ice/H₂O (300 mL), and extracted with EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with saturated NaHCO₃, brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc:hexane=3:97) to provide 4 (310 mg, 3.5%) as a solid.

Synthesis of 5:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 4 (310 mg, 1.1 mmol), followed by N-methylpyrrolidine (3 mL), 2-morpholinoethanamine (160 mg), and diisopropylethylamine (700 μL). The resulting solution was heated at 100° C. for 18 h. After dilution with EtOAc, the solution was washed with brine (3×) and dried (Na₂SO₄) to provide 5 (190 mg, 47%) after purification by flash chromatography (EtOAc=100 to MeOH:EtOAc=5:95).

Synthesis of 6 (CaI):

To a screw-capped vial was placed 5 (90 mg, 0.24 mmol), followed by N-methylpiperazine (2 mL). The resulting solution was heated at 150° C. for 20 h. After dilution with EtOAc, the solution was washed with brine (2×) and dried (Na₂SO₄) to provide 6 (49 mg, 46%) after purification by flash chromatography (EtOAc to MeOH:EtOAc=10:90). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.53 (br, 4H), 2.58 (br, 4H), 2.78 (t, 2H, J=5.6 Hz), 3.31 (m, 2H), 3.68 (br, 4H), 3.74 (br, 4H), 5.75 (br, 1H), 5.91 (s, 1H), 7.24 (t, 1H, overlapped with solvent), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.39 (t, 2H), 7.57 (t, 2H), 7.74 (t, 2H). LC/MS 433 (M+1).

In Vitro Characterization of 6 (CaI):

Compound 6 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XIV with R₃, R₆, and R₇=H; R₈=Y₃=phenyl; Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 33, Table 33, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 790 140 250 Calculated 44

Example 69 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 34

Synthesis of 2:

To a stirred solution of 6-bromoisatoic anhydride 1 (10 g, 41.3 mmol) in THF to (500 mL) was added slowly NH₄OH (20 mL) at room temperature. The suspension became clear. The solution was then stirred at room temperature overnight and concentrated to provide a white solid. The resulting solid was collected by filtration, washed with H₂O (˜50 mL), and dried to afford 2 (6.7 g, 76%) as an off-white solid.

Synthesis of 3:

A suspension of 2 (500 mg, 2.3 mmol) in THF (6 mL) was treated with 1,1′-carbonyldimidazole (CDI) (410 mg, 2.5 mmol). The resulting suspension was heated at 75° C. overnight. During the reaction, the suspension became clear, then solid was formed. After concentration, the resulting solid was collected, washed with dichloromethane, and dried to afford 3 (450 mg, 82%) as a pale yellow solid. The NMR was consistent with the structure of 3.

Synthesis of 4:

A solution of 3 (500 mg, 2 mmol) in POCl₃ (4 mL) in a vial (15 mL) was treated with 2,6-lutidine (1.3 mL) at room temperature. The resulting suspension was then heated at 140° C. overnight. After pouring into ice/H₂O (10 mL), the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (20 mL) followed by EtOAc (20 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), passed through a short pad of SiO₂, and concentrated to provide 4 (390 mg) as a brown solid. Without further purification this solid 4 was used for the next reaction.

Synthesis of 5:

The product obtained as described in the previous step, 4 (2.3 g) was suspended in EtOH (50 mL) and treated with diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) (4 mL), followed by 2-morpholinoethylamine (3 mL) at room temperature. The solution was heated at reflux overnight. After concentration, the resulting residue was diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (50 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated to give a brown solid, which was purified by flash chromatography (hexane:EtOAc=50:50 to 0:100) to provide 5 (350 mg) as a brown solid.

Synthesis of 6:

Monosubstituted quinazoline 5 (320 mg, 0.86 mmol) was dissolved in isoamyl alcohol (5 mL) and distributed equally into two vials (15 mL capacity). Each vial was treated with N-methylpiperazine (200 μL). The resulting solution was heated at 140° C. overnight. After concentration, the resulting solid was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc to DCM:MeOH=95:5 to 80:20) to provide 6 (120 mg) as a solid.

Synthesis of CII:

The above solid 6 (120 mg, 0.27 mmol) was placed in a vial (15 mL capacity), followed by phenylboronic acid (66 mg, 0.5 mmol), Pd(OAc)₂ (2 mg), K₂CO₃ (140 mg, 1 mmol), and Bu₄NBr (12 mg, 0.35 mmol). The mixture was flushed with N₂ and to this was added H₂O (4 mL) and toluene (2 mL). The suspension was flushed again with N₂ and capped. The resulting suspension was heated at 100° C. for 2 days. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL). The organic extract was dried (Na₂SO₄) and purified by preparative TLC (DCM:MeOH=80:20) to provide CII (35 mg, 30%) a white solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 2.37 (s, 3H), 2.53 (br, 4H+4H), 2.70 (t, 2H), 3.67 (dd, 2H), 3.74 (t, 4H), 3.97 (br, 4H), 7.3-7.8 (set of t, d, s, 8H, aromatic H); LC/MS 433 (M+1), >98% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of CII:

Compound CII in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XV with R₇ and R₈=H; R₆=Y₃=phenyl; Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 34, Table 34, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 630 500 100 Calculated 190

Example 70 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 39

Synthesis of 2:

To a stirred solution of KHMDS (4 equivalents) in dry THF was added acetophenone (1 equivalent) at 0° C. under N₂. To this solution was added 1 (1 equivalent) at the same temperature. The reaction was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. The reaction was worked up as described for the synthesis of BIV (See below).

Synthesis of 3:

Synthesis of 3 from 2 was carried out as described in Example 66 for the synthesis of 6 (BIV).

Synthesis of 4:

Synthesis of 4 from 3 was carried out as described in Example 66 for the synthesis of 6 (BIV).

Synthesis of 5:

Synthesis of 5 from 4 was carried out as described in Example 66 for the synthesis of 6 (BIV). MS 432 (M+1), >95% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of 5 (DI):

Compound 5 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XX with R₃, R₇, and R₈=H; Y₃=phenyl; R₆=Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 39, Table 39, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 75 28 72 Calculated 17

Example 71 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 40

Synthesis of 1:

A mixture of 5-bromoanthranilamide (7.5 g, 3.49 mmol), benzaldehyde (3.7 g, 3.49 mmol), sodium metabisulfite (4.98 g, 26.2 mmol) and water (0.5 mL) in dimethylacetamide was stirred at 150° C. for 2 h. After this time, the slurry was cooled to 50° C. and water (200 mL) was added. This slurry was stirred for 10 minutes and was then filtered to isolate the product. The filter cake was washed with water and was then, while still damp, recrystallized from DMF. The yield of purified 1 was 4.45 g (42.3%).

Synthesis of 2 and 3:

A slurry of 2-phenyl-6-bromoquinazolin-4-one (4.44 g, 14.7 mmol) in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (40 mL) was stirred at 130° C. as phosphorous oxychloride (4.52 g, 29.5 mmol) was added over 5 minutes. This mixture was stirred at 130° C. until a clear, pale orange solution formed (about 90 minutes) and then for an additional 30 minutes longer. After cooling, the solution was diluted with t-butylmethyl ether (200 mL) and this solution was shaken with water (200 mL). The aqueous phase was discarded and the tert-butylmethyl ether (TBME) solution was washed with a solution of sodium hydroxide (5.9 g) in water (200 mL). The TBME was then evaporated to give a slurry of 2 in 1,2-dichlorobenzene. This slurry was diluted with n-butanol (40 mL) and N-methylpiperazine (4.40 g, 44 mmol) was added. This mixture was heated to reflux which provided a clear yellow solution. The reaction was examined by TLC (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) after 30 minutes at reflux and was found to have gone to completion. The solution was cooled and diluted with TBME (200 mL). This solution was extracted with 10% HCl (150 mL) and the acidic extracts were then made basic by the addition of 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The product that separated from the basic mixture was extracted into methylene chloride (200 mL). Evaporation of the methylene chloride under vacuum gave the product 3 as an oil in a yield of 5.2 g (92%). The oil was dissolved in hexane (25 mL) from which it crystallized as a white powder.

Synthesis of 4:

The bromoquinazoline 3 (1.0 g, 2.6 mmol) was combined with tris-(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (23.8 mg, 2.6×10⁻⁵ mol), +/−binaphthyl (BINAP) (48.6 mg, 7.8×10⁻⁵ mol), sodium tert-butoxide (350 mg, 3.6 mmol) and toluene (5 mL). This mixture was stirred under nitrogen for 15 minutes and was then treated with 2-aminoethylmorpholine (406 mg, 3.12 mmol) in toluene (3 mL). The reaction was then stirred under nitrogen for 2 h. The reaction was examined by TLC (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) after this time and was found to have gone to completion. After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL) and was washed with water (100 mL). The ethyl acetate solution was then extracted with 10% HCl (2×25 mL). The yellow acidic extracts were combined and were washed with ethyl acetate (25 mL) after which they were made basic by the addition of 10% sodium hydroxide solution. The solid which precipitated was extracted into methylene chloride (2×25 mL). Evaporation of the solvents gave the product 4 as a yellow solid in a yield of 1.02 g (90.7%). This solid was recrystallized from a mixture of toluene and hexane.

In Vitro Characterization of 4:

Compound 4 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XXI with R₇ and R₈=H; Y₃=phenyl; R₆=Y₂=dimor; and R₄=pip. See Example 40, Table 40, Y₂=dimor and R₄=pip. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 170 ND* 53 Calculated 33 *not done

Example 72 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 40

Synthesis of 2:

To a suspension of 2-nitro-5-fluorobenzoic acid (20 g, 0.108 mol) in methylene chloride (150 mL) was added thionyl chloride (14.3 g, 0.12 mol) and DMF (1 mL). This mixture was stirred at reflux until a clear solution formed (120 min) and then for 30 minutes longer. After cooling the solution was dripped into a well stirred mixture of methylene chloride (200 mL), concentrated ammonium hydroxide (200 mL) and ice (200 g). After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The solid amide was isolated by filtration and was washed with water. After drying at 70° C. the 2-nitro-5-fluorobenzamide 2 was obtained as a white solid in a yield of 6.6 g (33%).

Synthesis of 3:

A mixture of 2-nitro-5-fluorobenzamide 2 (6.6 g, 0.036 mol) and N-methylpiperazine (7.25 g, 0.072 mol) in n-butanol (100 mL) was stirred at reflux for 12 h. After cooling, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (200 mL) and was then extracted with 5% HCl (2×200 mL). The combined extracts were neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and the resulting yellow solution was treated with solid potassium acetate (20 g). After stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes the crystalline product, which had separated, was isolated by filtration. The yellow solid was washed with cold water and dried at 70° C. The yield of 3 was 4.1 g (43.1%). The compound was shown to be >99% purity by HPLC and the mass spec gave the correct molecular ion.

Synthesis of 4 and 5:

A suspension of N-methyl-N′-(3-carboxamido-4-nitro)piperazine 3 (4.1 g, 15.5 mmol) in ethanol (100 mL) was treated with 10% palladium on carbon (500 mg) and was stirred at reflux. A solution of ammonium formate (2.92 g, 46.4 mmol) in water (5 mL) was added over a one minute period and the resulting mixture was stirred at reflux for 2 h. TLC (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) showed that the reaction had gone to completion. The reaction was cooled and the catalyst was removed by filtration. To the filtrates was added benzaldehyde (1.65 g, 15.5 mmol) and 5 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid. This mixture was refluxed for 5 minutes and then cooled. The ethanol was removed under vacuum and dimethylacetamide (100 mL) was added. To this solution was added concentrated sulfuric acid until an orange coloration formed which did not immediately fade (about 2 g). The solution was heated to 90° C. with stirring and chloranil (3.8 g, 15.5 mmol) was added in portions over 2 minutes. Heating was continued for 15 minutes after which the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature. The quinazoline sulfate salt 5 crystallized as small pale green needles and was isolated by filtration. The solid was washed with ethanol and dried at 70° C. to give the product in a yield of 4.1 g, (63.2%).

Synthesis of 6, 7, 8 and 9:

Phosphorous oxychloride (30 mL) and the quinazoline sulfate salt 5 (4.1 g, 9.8 mmol) were stirred together as diisopropylethyl amine (3.8 g, 29 mmol) was slowly added. The resulting warm yellow suspension was stirred at reflux for 90 minutes. At this time, TLC (silica, 10% methanol in methylene chloride) showed that the reaction had gone to completion. Excess phosphorous oxychloride (about 15 mL) was removed by distillation and the residue was cautiously added to water (200 mL), ice (200 g), and sodium bicarbonate (60 g) with vigorous stirring. The addition was at a rate that controlled foaming. Once the reaction mixture had been added, stirring was continued for 30 minutes. The solid precipitate was extracted into methylene chloride (200 mL) and this solution was dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the methylene chloride was evaporated to give a mixture of 6 and 7 as a white solid (2.8 g). This material was combined with N-2-aminoethylmorpholine (2.15 g, 16.6 mmol) in n-butanol (100 mL). The mixture was stirred at reflux for 5 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate (200 mL) and 2% potassium carbonate solution (200 mL). The ethyl acetate solution was isolated and extracted with warm 5% HCl (300 mL). The acidic extracts were washed with ethyl acetate (2×100 mL) and were then made basic by the addition of solid potassium carbonate. The oil which precipitated was extracted into methylene chloride (200 mL) and these extracts were evaporated under vacuum to provide a mixture of 8 and 9 as an oil which crystallized on standing. HPLC/mass spec analysis of the oil showed that it consisted of a mixture of 8 (47.7%) and 9 (52.3%) in a total yield of 3.5 g. Compounds 8 and 9 were separated by column chromatography on silica using methylene chloride (100 mL) followed by 5% methanol in methylene chloride (500 mL) and 10% methanol in methylene chloride (500 mL) as eluent. HPLC showed that compound 8 was isolated with an HPLC purity of 100% and compound 9 with an HPLC purity of 99.4%. Mass spec and NMR were used to identify compound 8 as the quinazoline, unsubstituted at position 5, and compound 9 as the 5-chloro derivative.

In Vitro Characterization of 8:

Compound 8 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XXI with R₇ and R₈=H; Y₃=phenyl; R₆=Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 40, Table 40, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 76 18 78 Calculated 18

Example 73 Synthesis and In Vitro Characterization of a Compound from Example 41

Synthesis of 2:

To a stirred solution of 4-bromo-2-nitrobenzoic acid (3.0 g, 12.2 mmol) in CHCl₃ (20 mL) was added thionyl chloride (1.1 mL, 14.6 mmol) at room temperature. Heating at reflux was continued until a clear solution formed. This solution was used for the next step.

To a stirred mixture of NH₄OH (85 mL of 35% solution) in CHCl₃ (25 mL) was added dropwise the above acid chloride solution at ca −25° C. After stirring at 0° C. for 15 min the reaction mixture was poured onto ice cold water. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with H₂O, and dried to provide 2 (3.09 g) as a white solid.

Synthesis of 3:

A mixture of 2 (2.0 g, 10.6 mmol) in EtOAc (200 mL) was treated with SnCl₂ (9.4 g, 42 mmol) at reflux for 20 min. After addition of 1N NaOH, the formed solid was filtered and washed with EtOAc. The organic phase was separated. The aqueous phase was neutralized (pH˜7) and extracted with EtOAc (2×70 mL). The combined organic extracts were concentrated to provide 3 (1.53 g, 67%) as a tan solid.

Synthesis of 4:

A mixture of 3 (1.5 g, 7.2 mmol) with benzaldehyde (0.73 mL, 7.2 mmol) and sodium bisulfite (1.1 g, 10.8 mmol) in dimethylacetamide (DMA) (5 mL) was heated at reflux for 3 h. After pouring into H₂O (20 mL), the solution was allowed to warm up to room temperature. The solid which formed was filtered, washed with H₂O, followed by Et₂O to provide 4 (1.5 g, 69%) as a yellow solid, after recrystallization with MeOH/EtOAc.

Synthesis of 5:

A mixture of 4 (1.5 g, 4.9 mmol) in POCl₃ (5 mL) was heated at reflux overnight. After cooling to room temperature, the dark solution was poured into H₂O/ice. The resulting solid was filtered, washed with H₂O, followed by Et₂O to provide 5 (900 mg) as brown yellow solid. Evaporation of the filtrates provided an additional amount of 5 (400 mg) after concentration and trituration with EtOAc/hexane.

Synthesis of 6:

To a screw-capped vial was placed 5 (200 mg, 0.63 mmol) in EtOH (0.5 mL), followed by 2-morpholinoethanamine (100 mg, 0.75 mmol). The resulting solution was heated at 80° C. for 3 h. After concentration, the residue was purified by preparative TLC (MeOH:EtOAc=20:80) to provide 6 (90 mg, 35%) as a yellow solid.

Synthesis of 7 (DbII):

To a screw-capped vial was placed 6 (90 mg, 0.22 mmol), followed by NaO-t-Bu (25 mg, 0.26 mmol), N-methylpiperazine (0.29 mL, 0.26 mmol), Pd₂(dba)₃ (4 mg, 0.005 mmol), +/−2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphiono-1,1′binaphthalene, (BINAP) (4 mg, 0.007 mmol), and toluene (1 mL). After degassing with nitrogen the suspension was heated at 80° C. overnight. After concentration, the residue was filtered through a short pad of SiO₂ to provide 7 (32 mg, 35%) after purification by preparative TLC (MeOH:EtOAc=20:80). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.58 (br, 4H+4H), 2.77 (t, 2H), 3.40 (br, 4H), 3.75 (t, 4H), 3.85 (dd, 2H), 7.0-8.5 (set of t, d, s, 8H, aromatic H); LC/MS: 433 (M+1), >98% pure.

In Vitro Characterization of 7 (DbII):

Compound 7 in this example corresponds to a compound of Formula XXI with R₆ and R₈=H; Y₃=phenyl; R₇=Y₂=pip; and R₄=dimor. See Example 41, Table 41, Y₂=pip and R₄=dimor. In vitro testing as described in Example 63 yielded the following results, expressed as IC₅₀ (nM):

TLR7 TLR8 TLR9 Experimental 24 29 38 Calculated 78

Example 74 In Vivo Testing

Separate groups of mice are administered 100 μg-300 μg CpG ODN 2006 (TCGTCGTTTTGTCGTTTTGTCGTT; SEQ ID NO:1) by intraperitoneal injection. One group of mice receiving CpG ODN is also administered 100 ng-300 μg of a compound of the invention, orally or intravenously. Serum samples are obtained from mice from each group and/or mice from each group are sacrificed at one or more specified times, 1 to 48 hours following administration of CpG ODN alone or CpG ODN plus compound of the invention. Cytokine expression is evaluated in sera and/or splenocyte cultures derived from each group at each time point. Th1 cytokine expression in mice receiving both CpG ODN and compound of the invention is reduced compared to Th1 cytokine expression in mice receiving CpG ODN alone. Percent of control expression of Th1 cytokine is plotted as a function of concentration of compound of the invention. IC₅₀ corresponds to the concentration of compound which reduces Th1 cytokine expression to 50 percent of control expression of Th1 cytokine.

Example 75 In Vivo Testing in a Murine Model of Autoimmune Diabetes Mellitus

Two groups of age-matched female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice are administered 100 μg-300 μg CpG ODN 2006 by intraperitoneal injection, once weekly beginning at six weeks of age. One group of NOD mice receiving CpG ODN is also administered 100 ng-300 μg of a compound of the invention, orally or intravenously, once weekly beginning at six weeks of age. Optionally another group of age-matched female NOD mice receiving compound alone can also be included, as can be another group of age-matched female NOD mice receiving neither CpG ODN nor compound. All mice are maintained on a regular diet and monitored at least once weekly for development of hyperglycemia (random blood glucose ≧350 mg/dL measured on at least one occasion). Age at development of hyperglycemia is compared between groups. The group receiving CpG ODN alone develops hyperglycemia earlier than the group receiving CpG ODN and compound.

EQUIVALENTS

The foregoing written specification is considered to be sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by examples provided, since the examples are intended as a single illustration of one aspect of the invention and other functionally equivalent embodiments are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and fall within the scope of the appended claims. The advantages and objects of the invention are not necessarily encompassed by each embodiment of the invention. 

1. A compound having a structure selected from

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon; R₁ and R₂ are independently absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₃; R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; R₅ is absent or hydrogen; R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₂; and R₈ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, Y₁, or Y₃; wherein Y₁ is Ar—Y₂, where Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl; and at least one of R₃, R₆, R₇, and R₈ is Y₁; or at least one of R₆ and R₇ is Y₂; and/or at least one of R₃ and R₈ is Y₃. 2.-156. (canceled)
 157. A compound having a structure selected from

wherein X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon; R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; R₅ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₆, R₇, and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and Y₁ is Ar—Y₂, where Ar is optionally substituted phenyl; wherein Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; wherein, when the compound has the structure (IX) wherein X₃ is nitrogen, X₄ is nitrogen. 158.-172. (canceled)
 173. A compound having a structure selected from

wherein X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon; R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; R₅ is absent or hydrogen; R₆ and R₈ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₃; R₇ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; wherein Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl. 174.-222. (canceled)
 223. A compound having a structure selected from

wherein X₁, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon; R₃ is absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₄ is a group having the structure,

where R₉ is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; L is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₀ and R₁₁ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₀ and R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₉ and one of R₁₀ or R₁₁ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle; R₅ is absent or hydrogen; R₆ and R₇ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₂; R₈ is hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; and Y₃ is optionally substituted phenyl; wherein Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle. 224.-272. (canceled)
 273. A compound having a structure selected from

wherein X₁, X₂, X₃, and X₄ are independently nitrogen or carbon; R₁, R₃, and R₅ are independently absent, hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; R₆ is independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, halide, or Y₂; R₇, R₈, and R₁₅ are independently hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkoxy, or halide; each Q is independently optionally substituted alkyl or Y₂; and n is an integer from 1-5; wherein Y₂ is W-L₁NR₁₂R₁₃, where W is O, S, or NR₁₄; L₁ is optionally substituted alkyl; R₁₂, R₁₃, and R₁₄ are independently hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl; and together R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle, or together R₁₄ and one of R₁₂ or R₁₃ can be joined to form an optionally substituted heterocycle. 274.-340. (canceled)
 341. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 342.-343. (canceled)
 344. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of claim 157 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 345.-346. (canceled)
 347. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of claim 173 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 348.-349. (canceled)
 350. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of claim 223 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 351.-352. (canceled)
 353. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound of claim 273 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 354.-355. (canceled)
 356. A method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR), comprising: contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting. 357.-364. (canceled)
 365. A method for reducing an immune response, comprising: contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting. 366.-377. (canceled)
 378. A method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject, comprising: administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a compound of claim 1 to treat the autoimmune condition. 379.-385. (canceled)
 386. A method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR), comprising: contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 157 to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting.
 387. A method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR), comprising: contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 173 to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting.
 388. A method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR), comprising: contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 223 to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting.
 389. A method for reducing signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR), comprising: contacting a cell expressing a TLR, selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 273 to reduce signaling by the TLR in response to an agonist of the TLR, compared to signaling by the TLR in response to the agonist in absence of the contacting.
 390. A method for reducing an immune response, comprising: contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 157 to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting.
 391. A method for reducing an immune response, comprising: contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 173 to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting.
 390. A method for reducing an immune response, comprising: contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 223 to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting.
 391. A method for reducing an immune response, comprising: contacting a population of immune cells expressing a Toll-like receptor (TLR), selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, with an effective amount of a compound of claim 273 to reduce an immune response by the immune cells, compared to an immune response by the immune cells in absence of the contacting.
 392. A method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject, comprising: administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a compound of claim 157 to treat the autoimmune condition.
 393. A method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject, comprising: administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a compound of claim 173 to treat the autoimmune condition.
 394. A method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject, comprising: administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a compound of claim 223 to treat the autoimmune condition.
 395. A method for treating an autoimmune condition in a subject, comprising: administering to a subject having an autoimmune condition, wherein the autoimmune condition involves signaling by a Toll-like receptor (TLR) selected from TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9, an effective amount of a compound of claim 273 to treat the autoimmune condition. 